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Pennsylvania $3.7 Million Training Grants

May 6th, 2008 Posted by Amelia

Pennsylvania employers will receive a welcome infusion of highly trained workers due to two recent training grants totaling more than $3.7 million.

According to a recent announcement made by the U. S. Department of Labor, the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative awarded $125 million to 69 community colleges across the United States, including two to Pennsylvania.

The competition was announced in August of 2007, and a total of 341 applications were received. The funds go to training facilities and community colleges to aid workers in competing for high-growth industry jobs.

“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 change to enter into careers that offer opportunities for advancement.”

The Delaware County Community College in Media received $1,999,826 to train workers in advanced manufacturing.

Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville received $1,711,334 to train workers for the transportation, distribution and logistics industry.

Both programs were identified by employers as able to produce workers with skills that are needed now and in the immediate future.

The focus of the Grants program is to boost the community college’s role in aiding American workers, and to assist these workers in gaining high-paying jobs with advancement.

To achieve this goal, the grants provide funding for community colleges in areas where industries need workers with a particular type of training. For example, several biotechnology labs in California are seeking trained employees. The Community Based Job Training Grant could be awarded to a community college near these labs, in order to train workers for those positions.

Due to advances in technology and innovation, to globalization and to a workforce that is aging, many industries are in dire need of skilled workers. Nationwide, these industries include biotechnology, logistics and advanced manufacturing.