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Texas $4 Million Employment Training Grants

May 9th, 2008 Posted by Amelia

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

In Texas, community colleges in Corsicana and Levelland received more than $4 million to train workers for current employer openings.

Navarro College in Corsicana received a grant of more than $2 million. The total grant of $2,397,624 will be used to train workers in the fast-growing energy industry. Navarro was recently named the fastest-growing community college in the nation. The funds will be used to launch a new Oil & Gas Production Technology program in Spring 2008.

South Plains College in Levelland will use a $1,625,313 grant to train workers in the burgeoning healthcare industry.

Over 341 applications were filed in a competition announced in August, 2007 by the U.S. Department of Labor. 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.

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.

“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.”

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.

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training, Brent R. Orrell stated, “Preparing local residents for careers in growing hometown industries is critical to improving the quality of life of thousands of Americans. 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.”