News Release
ETA News Release: [August 12, 2003]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984
U.S. Department of Labor Announces $2 Million to HTV
Grant is part of High Growth Job Training Initiative
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $2 million grant to Louisville-based Hospitality Television, Inc. (HTV) for a multi-state project to train entry-level health care workers in skills needed for upward mobility and increased earnings. The grant is part of the Bush Administration's High Growth Job Training Initiative, a multi-faceted strategic plan to build a public workforce system that responds to the challenges facing American businesses with training opportunties for workers.
"President Bush, Secretary Chao and I are committed to leaving no worker behind -- every worker should have the opportunity for a good job at a good wage," said Emily DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. "This $2 million grant for HTV's School At Work project will give motivated, low-wage workers the skills they need to progress in promising health care careers."
As part of the High Growth Job Training Initiative, extensive research is conducted to identify expanding industries, one of which is health care. Outreach to business executives and human resource professionals through forums determines workforce gaps in the industry and, in turn, a strategic plan is developed in partnership with employers, educational institutions and workforce leaders to address business needs.
This grant, the second for HTV's School At Work project, will allow student workers to participate in live, interactive television broadcasts at their workplaces and complete additional coursework through printed materials and interactive Internet-based exercises. HTV will forge strong partnerships with local One-Stop Career Centers to provide maximum benefits for health care employers and employees and a model that can be replicated nationwide.
"This grant is one solution in an array of solutions to respond to worker shortages in the health-care industry," said DeRocco. "Preparing health-care workers to climb the career ladder helps maintain a skilled, professional workforce in an industry that is already encountering major shortages."
The purpose of grants awarded in connection with the High Growth Job Training Initiative is to support models that demonstrate how a demand-driven workforce system can more efficiently serve the workforce needs of business, while also effectively helping workers find good jobs at good wages.
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