AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Specialized training at Bell Helicopter will now be available at Amarillo College, thanks to a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.

Chairman Tom Pauken made the almost $164,000 presentation at the college Thursday morning.

The money will be used for training of up to 120 employees in a host of different venues at the plant. The plant also announced its plans to hire 100 new workers this year.

"Not only be working in the industry, but they'll be protected in the future, and also be placed in these fields, and will be used for upgraded equipment so you are all working..to build helicopters and tilt rotor well into this century," said Bell Spokesman, Roger Williams.

The money given is part of the state's "Skills Development Fund" for job training.