JEFFERSON CITY -- The Shared Work Program has saved over 37,000 jobs in Missouri, and saved the state money, according to Missouri's Labor Department director.

Larry Rebman made those comments Thursday during a visit to Columbia’s Watlow Electric Manufacturing

The Shared Work Program is offered as an alternative to layoffs to employers facing a reduction in available work. Employees receive a portion of unemployment benefits while working reduced hours.

Rebman said 461 employers are participating.

The Missouri Division of Employment Security paid $12.4 million in Shared Work benefits in 2009.

Labor Department officials say that if all of the workers had been laid off, they would have received nearly $46 million in benefits.