Kilgore College grant to fund safety training
Kilgore College has received a $100,000 grant to fund the college’s Risk Management Institute.
Texas Mutual Insurance Co. awarded the grant to the college to offer free safety training to employees across East Texas, according to a press release from the college. Kilgore College is the third Texas college to be awarded the grant by the insurance company.
The institute is part of the Kilgore College Workforce Development Program. Martha Woodruff, program director, said the grant will cover all the costs of the safety training for one year.
“We plan on using every bit of (the grant),” Woodruff said. “It will allow us to provide some services that are greatly needed at no cost.”
The training begins in April, Woodruff said. The first class sessions will provide a 10-hour general industry safety training approved by the Occupational Safety Health Administration. Graduates will receive certificates from the administration and the college.
She said classes might cover topics such as small-business safety and how to avoid back injuries and falls. The class topics will be tailored to the needs of the local business community.
Kilgore College has an academic occupational safety program, but Woodruff said the risk management institute is unique because it is free.
John Stroud, executive director of Longview Economic Development Co., said the free training was a tremendous opportunity for local businesses.
“Companies in the area should really take this opportunity to learn how to reduce risks and save money,” Stroud said.
He said he was not aware of any other local program that provided free safety training for businesses, and he said the college, businesses and the insurance company will benefit from the training.
