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ETA News Release: [08/12/2003]
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 opportunities 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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