A new program funded by the city is offering local businesses grant money to train employees while giving workers the chance to boost their salaries.

One company that has benefited from the Training Funds program is Summit, which makes and ships appliances. Summit Vice President Paul Storch says the experience has been a win-win for everyone.

"There's unskilled workers here that are now assistant managers," he says.

Before Summit joined forces with Training Funds, it had about 70 employees. Now, there are more than 130 workers, and for every training program they complete, an entry-level employee can see as much as a 16-percent increase in salary.

Mechanical engineer George Rejwan, who has been helping train new hires, says the grant program has allowed Summit to give people from tough backgrounds a second chance.

Training Funds pays the salaries of entry-level trainees until they're hired full-time. Businesses have until Feb. 2 to apply for the program.