Massachusetts Credit Union League Partnership with Hamilton Cornell Secures Consortium WFT Grant In June, the Patrick administration announced the award of $5.7 million in workforce training (WFT) grants, providing for the training of over 5,600 current and newly hired employees at 72 companies across the Commonwealth. Among those 72 companies participating are four credit unions that signed up for the first-ever credit union consortium grant, secured by the Massachusetts Credit Union League, Inc. through its partnership with Hamilton Cornell Associates (HCA). Select staff members from a cross section of departments of each of these four credit unions – Central One, Southbridge, St. Mary’s and St. Jean’s – will benefit from in-depth lean management training, a proven team-based methodology for improving morale, developing more efficient processes, and building a culture of superior service within each organization and to members. HCA has worked on individual grants with manufacturing, service industry, and financial institutions for years. Dan Trombley, CEO at City of Boston Credit Union strongly recommended their approach based on his own credit union’s experience. Dan said, “We were extremely pleased with the dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm of Hamilton Cornell’s training team. More than that, however, they exceeded our expectations by helping us streamline many of our day to day processes as quickly as within the first four weeks. Our staff, members, management team, and directors – every facet of our business – has benefited from our having a better way to do business.” Since the League and Hamilton Cornell work together to apply for and administer the grants, credit unions are free to participate without worrying about the significant administrative details such as managing the grant and reporting progress back to the state. The grant covers direct training costs as well. Aside from assigning staff members to participate in classes, there is little impact on administrative staff time – and a high return on the investment in participants. Funding for workforce training grants comes from employer contributions to the unemployment insurance fund. Workforce training grants were established to provide businesses with the means to provide training 10 | centerpoint | winter.2013
that (a) upgrades the skills of employees, (b) provides employees with promotional opportunities, and (c) improves the productivity and competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. Consortium grants, which are one of the several types of workforce training grant programs provided by the state, are targeted at training that involves multiple businesses with similar training needs. Collaboration allows those entities participating in a consortium grant to apply for higher grant dollars and to build more in-depth, customized training that can be used by all.
Bonnie Doolin, League senior vice president, said, “The consortium grant concept has felt right since our first conversation with Doug McCaig [president of Hamilton Cornell]. Our members are working together within the industry while strengthening the skill levels within each institution. This is a win for credit unions, their communities, the Commonwealth, and of course, credit union members.” • Hamilton Cornell (hamiltoncornell.com) is a 40-year-old consulting firm based in Hingham, MA. For more information about this partnership or about participating in a lean management-focused workforce training consortium grant in the future, please contact Bonnie L. Doolin, senior vice president, Massachusetts Credit Union League, Inc., at bdoolin@cucenter.org or by telephone at (800) 842-1242, ext. 321.