U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor Announces Grant to Train Ohio Biotechnology Workers
Grant is Part of $17.2 Million for Biotechnology Industry Training under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative
KIRTLAND, Ohio - U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco today announced a $333,485 grant to train biotechnology workers in Northeast Ohio. The grant, awarded to Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio, is part of a $17.2 million national effort developed under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative to address job training needs for careers in the biotechnology industry.
"President Bush and Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao are committed to helping workers get training for careers in growing fields like biotechnology, which is projected to add more than 100,000 jobs
by 2007," said DeRocco. "This grant will allow Lakeland Community College, in partnership with biotech industry employers, to address the need for highly skilled workers in the growing biotechnology sector in Northeast Ohio."
Training and internships will be targeted to recruit workers for career ladder programs that include four tiers of training, beginning at the high school level and concluding with the opportunity to earn a master's degree. Incumbent workers will also be provided with career guidance, assessment, and education as they work to advance within the industry.
Another important aspect of the project will be Lakeland Community College's development of a BioCenter, complete with industry-standard equipment available to students and teachers to enhance knowledge and interest in the biotechnology field. In addition an online biotechnology "career coach" website will be created for both new entrants and those workers hoping to advance within the industry.
The President's High Growth Job Training Initiative is a strategic effort to better prepare workers to take advantage of new job opportunities in high growth sectors of the American economy. Through executive forums with leaders of expanding industries, critical workforce gaps and issues are identified. Solutions are then created in cooperation with employers, educational institutions and the public workforce system. More information can be found at www.doleta.gov.
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