U.S. Department of Labor Awards $125 Million in Third Competition for President's Community-Based Job Training Grants

WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $125 million to 69 community colleges and community-based institutions that competed successfully under the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative. The institutions chosen today will use the funds to prepare students for careers in high-growth industries. Awardees were chosen from among 341 applications received in response to a competition announced August 8, 2007.

"Community colleges are in a unique position to prepare local workers for careers in high-growth industries," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The $125 million awarded today will expand enrollment in education and training programs and provide more workers with the skills they need to succeed."

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 made on October 19, 2005. The second round of 72 awards was made on December 11, 2006.

The 69 grants awarded today will support projects in 36 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

"Preparing local residents for careers in growing hometown industries is critical to improving the quality of life of thousands of Americans," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell. "These programs will provide participants not only with the skills needed to gain employment but the chance to enter into careers that offer opportunities for advancement."

For more information on the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants, visit www.doleta.gov/business/Community-BasedJobTrainingGrants.cfm.

Editor's Note: A complete list of the award winners is online at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20080301.htm.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

CONTACT: Terry Shawn, +1-202-693-4676, or Jennifer Kaplan,
+1-202-693-5052, both of the U.S. Department of Labor

Web Site:

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20080301.htm
http://www.doleta.gov/business/Community-BasedJobTrainingGrants.cfm

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Profile: labor-news