Md. sets job training for disadvantaged

Maryland economic-development officials unveiled last week a four-year job-training program for economically disadvantaged workers.

Called Business Owners Start-Up Services, or BOSS, the program will provide training in business skills, information about business loans and technical assistance for qualified recipients, said J. Randall Evans, secretary of economic and employment development.

The program, aimed initially at Aid to Families with Dependent Children recipients in the Baltimore area, will enroll each client in a three-month training program.

BOSS is being financed by Maryland's Project Independence and job-training programs in Baltimore and Baltiomore County. Local banks and philanthropic groups also have agreed to make seed capital loans of up to $10,000 to participants.

Maryland becomes the fifth state to join the pilot project. The others are Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Mississippi.

For further information, call Dr. Audrey Theis at [phone].