U.S. Department of Labor awards nearly $123 million in 4th round of President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants
The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded nearly $123 million to 68 community colleges and community-based institutions that competed successfully under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative. Awardees were chosen from among 274 applications received in response to a competition announced Oct. 10, 2008.
“The $123 million awarded today will expand enrollment in education and training programs, and provide more workers with the skills they need to succeed,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
Introduced by President Bush in his 2004 “State of the Union” address, Community-Based Job Training Grants improve the ability of community colleges to provide their regions’ workers with the skills needed to enter growing industries. The first round of 70 competitive awards was revealed on Oct. 19, 2005. The second round of 72 awards was made on Dec. 11, 2006. Sixty-nine awards from among third round competitors were announced on March 11, 2008.
In slightly more than three years, approximately $497 million now has been awarded to 279 community colleges and community-based institutions in 49 states to promote the U.S. workforce’s full potential. Through the first three rounds of these grants, more than 34,000 individuals have completed their education and training, and nearly 85,000 people have participated.
The 68 grants awarded today will support projects in 36 states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
For more information on the Department of Labor’s employment and training programs and the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants, visit http://www.doleta.gov/business/Community-BasedJobTrainingGrants.cfm.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor