WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) today announced a competition for approximately $20 million in funding for grants to provide alternative education, training and apprenticeships to youthful offenders.

“Young offenders will have the chance to catch up on missed education and enter into the culture of lifelong learning that defines the modern workforce,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “Organizations competing for these grants will offer multiple career pathways to young people coming out of the justice system.”

Through Youthful Offender Grants, apprenticeship programs will prepare workers for in-demand industries including construction, health care, information technology and biotechnology. Alternative educational opportunities will include the creation of alternative and charter schools to help young offenders earn high school diplomas and connect with employers. Organizations with proven youth offender education programs may also apply for funding.

This Solicitation for Grant Applications appears in today’s Federal Register and can be found online at www.doleta.gov/sga/sga.cfm or www.grants.gov. The competition is open to organizations including workforce investment boards, faith-based and community groups, state correctional facilities and Indian tribes. The competition closes May 31, 2007. Grants may be used for a number of services including GED instruction, occupational skills training, paid and unpaid work experiences and job placement.

Award-winning projects will help youthful offenders return to their communities prepared to compete in today’s job market, where 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs require post-secondary education.

For more information on ETA’s Youthful Offender Grants and other youth employment programs, please visit www.doleta.gov/youth_services.