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New Mexico $2.5 Million Training Grants

April 21st, 2008 Posted by Amelia

Two New Mexico community colleges were recently awarded nearly $2.5 million to train workers, under a federal training grant program. The schools competed successfully against 341 other national programs for the grant funds, awarded by the U. S. Department of Labor.

Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces was awarded a highly coveted grant to train workers for the healthcare industry, in the amount of $1,988,074.

The second New Mexico grant went to New Mexico State University at Carlsbad. The funds will be used to train employees in the construction industry.

Community colleges across the nation recently received $125 million in awards under the President’s Community Based Job Training Grants Initiative.

Over 341 applications were filed in a competition announced in August, 2007. The awards were given to the top 69 competitors to help community colleges and training facilities provide assistance for workers seeking jobs in high-growth industries.

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

Community colleges provide a local boost for training in areas where certain industries are seeking certain skill sets. The Community-Based Job Training Grants provide training for skilled workers to gain good jobs with career advancement. For example, several nuclear power plants in New Mexico need more skilled employees. A grant to train workers in the energy field could be awarded to a community college located near the plants.

The Community-Based Job Training Grants program was established in 2005, awarding 72 grants. In 2006, the second round of grants totaled 70. The purpose of these grants is to boost the community colleges’ role in marketing the full potential of the U. S. workforce.

Over the past few years, several factors have influenced the condition of the American workforce, including technology and innovation, aging of the workforce and globalization.

As a result, certain industries are having trouble finding trained workers. Health care, construction, biotechnology and energy are examples of a few nationwide industries seeking skilled employees. Several regional employers require skilled workers, too, such as the movie industry in Culver City, California.

The U. S. Department of Labor has formed strong relationships with business and industry. These relationships are valued by the Labor Department, because officials believe these connections provide support for regional economies by putting Americans to work.

To help put Americans to work the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative encourages these relationships and adds partnerships with educators as well. As part of that partnership, the Community Based Job Training Grants assist employers in finding trained employees.

The Community Based Job Training Grants are geared to improve the training capability of community colleges in areas that need workers. Funds are awarded to buy new training equipment, to hire qualified teachers and to organize on-the-job training experiences. These colleges collaborate with the local industry, too, to develop a training program for new and existing workers. The goal is to provide employees with good paying jobs with career advancement.

The industries that participate in the Workforce Investment System benefit in several ways. Since the local college is training workers with skills specific to that industry, the employer spends less on recruiting. The screening and referral process aid the employer as well, because the school’s curriculum is geared to his or her needs. As a result, employees stay with the company longer and the company gets qualified workers that increase quality and competitiveness in the market place.

In addition, the Workforce Investment System offers several incentives within the programs, such as government training assistance and tax credits.