CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch announced today that New Hampshire companies can now apply for job training grants for their workers. A new Web site, www.nhjobtrainingfund.org, will assist companies in the grant application process.

Gov. Lynch made the announcement at a meeting of his Jobs Cabinet.

“In every part of New Hampshire, business leaders tell me that they have the products, that they have the customers, but they need more skilled workers if their businesses are to stay and grow in New Hampshire. That is why Job Training Fund is so important to both businesses and workers, and the future economic growth of our state,” Gov. Lynch said.

Gov. Lynch made re-establishing the Job Training Fund a priority this past legislative session. 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.

Up to $1 million in matching grants will be available this year to allow companies to partner with the state to train new workers or retrain longtime employees.

“The Job Training Fund 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 first deadline for applications is Nov. 1. The Job Training Fund is administered by the Workforce Opportunity Council. A 10-member Job Training Grant Review Committee will review the applications and make recommendations to state Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner George Bald. Grants will be awarded on a monthly basis.