WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to assist the state of Connecticut in the creation of regional talent development strategies that focus on increasing workers’ engineering and technical skills.  The project will cover the greater eastern Connecticut region, as well as Massachusetts’ Worcester County and Rhode Island’s Washington County.

“Eastern Connecticut is working across state boundaries to ensure area workers have opportunities to build the kinds of technical skills that are in demand,” said acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.  “The $250,000 this grant provides will help bring together business and education leaders to address skills shortages and establish plans for long-term talent development.”

The grant, awarded to the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, will be implemented by the newly formed Engineering and Technical Skills Task Force.  In collaboration with area educational partners, the task force will analyze the region’s capacity to offer engineering and technical skills training programs and issue recommendations to address existing and emerging skills gaps.

The project also will support plans to increase the number of engineering degree programs, and strengthen connections between employers and potential workers through internship and apprenticeship programs.

Regional Innovation Grants are drawn from National Emergency Grant funds to assist state workforce agencies and local workforce investment boards, as well as their key partners, in the design of strategic regional plans focused on talent development that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century economy.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines.

For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.