MGM is asking the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to help pay for Springfield-area residents to train as casino employees. The company has indicated it will hire more than 1,000 Springfield residents to work in the casino when it opens in September.
MGM's dealer school, run through Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College started its first dealer training classes in late February.
Students are learning to run table games such as blackjack and roulette.
Alex Dixon, MGM's general manager, said about 100 students have enrolled so far, but the $400 course fee may be keeping more from signing up.
"To be completely transparent, we need to find more people who are interested in this career, and to remove every barrier we can, to make sure that folks in the city of Springfield see it as a viable way to pursue that next step," said Dixon.
The Gaming Commission approved $60,000 in scholarships for dealer training.
MGM has promised to reimburse students who pay for the training out of pocket after they get hired and work at the casino for a year.
