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Connecticut Employment Grant 3

May 1st, 2007 Posted by Amelia

Under the High Growth Job Training initiative Elaine Chao, the Labor Secretary, announced grants totaling $16.8 million to 11 organizations in 10 states to prepare workers for careers in advanced manufacturing.

The competitive Connecticut employment grant of $1,775,030 was awarded to the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. This grant will be utilized to train workers for high-paying jobs in the advanced manufacturing industry.

Every country’s economic health depends more on some industries more than on others. Manufacturing is one such area of business for the American economy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the manufacturing sector shows more technological innovation that any other business sector. It consistently contributes to the growth of economy, and helps America keep its edge in the global market. It is responsible for 14% of U.S. GDP and 11% of total U.S. employment.

Manufacturing funds 60% of the $193 billion that the U.S. private sector invests annually in research and development.

As time goes by, the manufacturing sector is advancing by leaps and bounds. The steady growth and technological advancement create the need of a more highly skilled workforce. But a recent survey in manufacturing employers found out that 80% of the respondents say that they have difficulty in finding suitable qualified people.

At the moment, salaries and benefits in the manufacturing sector average on $54,000 per year. This figure is higher than all of the private sector combined. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, workers are drawn to the manufacturing sector for higher pay and benefit, and the opportunities for advanced education and training.

The High Growth Job Training Initiative is an effort by the government to prepare a workforce that has the training and skills required by the high growth sectors of economy. Under this initiative, problem areas are highlighted through dialog with the industry leaders. Then regional solutions are designed, involving area employers, the public workforce system and educational institutions.