labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Due to changes from technology and innovation, an aging workforce and globalization, several industries are in dire need of skilled workers in Virginia and across the nation. Nationwide, industries such as healthcare, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing are but a few of these industries. Regional industries, also seek skilled workers.

 

That’s why Virginia employers are rejoicing after two worker training grants totaling $2.7 million have been awarded to local programs. The Community Job Training Grants will create or promote programs to train workers for positions that employers have open now or in the near future.

 

The grants will focus on training workers for the fastest growing industries.

 

Blue Ridge Community College will use a grant of $1,977,131 to train workers in the advanced manufacturing industry. The school is located in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

 

The second grant, in the amount of $1,792,729 will be used to train workers for the construction industry at Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands.

 

The Community Based Job Training Grants Initiative was established to aid these industries in finding trained employees by providing funds to local community colleges and training facilities.

 

Established in 2005, the U.S. Labor Department awarded 72 grants. In the second round in 2006, 70 grants were awarded. According to a recent U. S. Department of Labor announcement, the grants for 2008 were awarded to 69 institutions in 36 states.

 

“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 Grants are given to community colleges in areas where these industries are seeking help. The programs provide workers of all ages with training for positions in these high-paying jobs with good career advancement. For example, a manufacturing plant in Arizona needs skilled employees. The local community college could be awarded a grant to help fulfill that need.

 

An extension of the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, the Community Based Job Training Grants provides funds for community colleges to increase their capacity to train workers for positions in the local high growth industries. To achieve this goal, the U. S. Department of Labor has formed strong relationships with business and industry. The Labor Department officials believe that these partnerships help boost local economies and ensure American’s competitive capability in the world market by helping Americans go to work.

 

Due to advances in technology, methods and procedures, many of these high demand industries have many more jobs open than they have qualified applicants to fill them. These industries include over 14 areas of the economy, such as Automotive, Energy, Hospitality, Transportation and Information Technology. These industries are currently experiencing growth and/or are projected to grow in the coming years.

 

Employers who invest in this Workforce Investment System gain more than just an addition to their Human Resources Department. The employers can boost profits, retain employees longer and cut recruiting costs. Also, tax credits and government training assistance are available to employers invested in the System. The programs provide referrals and screening for qualified candidates which not only fills jobs, but also increases the quality of the workforce.

 

The Training Grants help meet this need by providing funds to community colleges in the areas where these industries need help. The funds go to purchase updated equipment for training, to hire qualified faculty and to establish on-the-job training experiences. The local industries collaborate with the colleges to develop training curricula to give new and existing workers the skills to meet the industry needs.

 

The result is employees learn new skills which make them more marketable, earn higher wages, and increase eligibility for advancement. Employers get workers trained to meet their specific needs, which means increased quality of the workforce, which means increased production, profits, and ability to remain competitive in the global market.

 

 

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