SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY : Alpha Microsystems Receives Grant From State for Employee Training

For the past three years, computer maker Alpha Microsystems’ financial performance has been, well, unspectacular.

Because of that, the Santa Ana company had virtually eliminated its budget for training programs intended to sharpen employees’ job skills or teach them new ones.

Now, thanks to a $232,000 grant from the state Employment Training Panel, Alpha Micro is providing training to 132 employees in a 58-week program that began in April.

“Most of this type of training usually has to be done by outside firms,” said William Mitchell, director of human resources. “A company this size doesn’t have the money to do that. It’s very difficult to justify spending thousands of dollars on that type of training.”

Under the state program, Alpha Micro employees are receiving training in management techniques, basic skills improvement, customer service, and English as a second language, among others.

Alpha Micro earned $3.3 million on revenue of $51.6 million for the year ended Feb. 26.