CONCORD - Saying the Job Training Fund will help New Hampshire workers and employers better compete in the changing economy, Gov. Lynch signed into law legislation restoring the fund.

"New Hampshire's economy is strong now, but I want to ensure we are taking the necessary steps to secure our prosperity for the future - and that means making sure New Hampshire has the skilled and educated workforce it needs to compete," Gov. Lynch said. "In every part of New Hampshire, business leaders tell me that they have the products; that they have the customers; but that they need skilled workers if their businesses are to stay and grow in New Hampshire. That is why this bill is a top priority for both businesses and workers."

Senate Bill 97 dedicates up to $1 million a year from the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund toward job training. It does not require any general fund dollars, nor does it affect the fund that pays for unemployment benefits for workers. Companies are required to provide an equal match for any grant they receive.

The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate.

New Hampshire first established the Job Training Fund in 2001, and the first grants were approved in January 2002. In 19 months, 169 grants were awarded to more than 100 different companies and nearly 5,400 workers were trained.

The Business and Industry Association, several labor unions, the Departments of Resources and Economic Development, Labor and Employment Security, the New Hampshire Community Technical College System and the Workforce Opportunity Council, all support this important piece of legislation.

Gov. Lynch has made restoring the Job Training Fund a priority.

"This new law will help ensure our workers have the training they need to get good jobs. It will help ensure our companies have the skilled workers they need to compete. And it will help keep our unemployment rate low. It is an investment that makes sense for our workers, our companies, and our state's economic future," Gov. Lynch said.

The bill is sponsored by Sens. David Gottesman, Martha Fuller Clark, Maggie Hassan, Harold Janeway and Sylvia Larsen.

"New Hampshire needs to focus on the future and this bill does that. We are competing in a world-wide economy and our workers must be well-trained to compete," Sen. Gottesman said.