Parker Plastics  is encouraging manufacturing companies to seek out workforce development assistance.

In a recent interview with Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing  – a B2B magazine that highlights machinery and equipment innovations – the blow molding company said it has received nearly $30,000 in grants over the past two years to assist its Washington County facility, from organizations including the Maryland World Class Consortia  and Hagerstown Community College .

“I always let people know to join that workforce development [agency or Chamber of Commerce] because there's lots of grant money out there,” plant manager Michael Genevro told the publication.

According to the Maryland World Class Consortia, Parker Plastics participates in the organization’s Lean Peer Group , which helps businesses build lean culture to ensure long-term success. Joining a peer group helps manufacturers assess current conditions and learn from others committed to making manufacturing processes more efficient.

"In today's hyper-competitive business climate, we believe creating a lean culture of continuous improvement is no longer optional but should be an element of every company's strategy,” said Dave Rizzardo, associate director of the MWCC. “The MWCC Lean Peer Group provides essential guidance and support regardless of current lean maturity level."

In past years, Parker Plastics has also utilized state assistance from the Maryland Department of Commerce. The Partnership for Workforce Quality program, or PWQ, provides matching training grants to manufacturing and technology companies looking to enhance employees’ skill sets. PWQ grants can reimburse up to 50 percent of project costs, which aim to increase skills on new technologies and production processes, employee productivity, employment stability, and more.

In the department’s latest Maryland Jobs Development Act Report, it is noted that more than 530 employees received training with help from the PWQ program during fiscal year 2022. According to the report, these trainees support 1,298 total jobs and roughly $339.2 million in economic activity; each year, this economic activity supports $4.6 million in total state sales and income tax. The return on investment for the PWQ program is substantial, given that many of these trainees are expected to be employed for years to come.