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ETA News Release: [06/07/2005]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or x3984
Release Number: 05-1007-CHI

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Awards $1.3 Million to University of Wisconsin System for Health Care Project

Grants Totaling $12 Million Will Fund 12 Health Care and BiotechnologyTraining Projects Nationwide

MILWAUKEE — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a grant of $1,365,101 to the University of Wisconsin System. The grantee is one of 12 winners selected from nearly 230 applicants competing for funding under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative. More than $12 million is being awarded nationwide to address opportunities to build a world-class health care and biotechnology workforce.

“Health care and biotechnology are two of the fastest growing fields,” Secretary of Labor Chao said. “This $1.3 million grant to the University of Wisconsin System, like the other 11 projects funded through this competition, will help workers prepare for good careers in professions that are in high demand.”

The University of Wisconsin System will address shortages in nursing faculty in Wisconsin by reducing the training period for nurse educators by 18 to 24 months. The shortages have resulted in over 3,000 individuals wait-listed to participate in nursing programs.

Additionally, the project will develop a public/private partnership to recruit and train health professional educators and utilize unique hospital-university-technical college partnerships to allow participating nurses to balance clinical and educational roles to increase their annual salaries.

“Regional partnerships among employers, educators, and the workforce investment system will be the key to meeting businesses' demand for workers with the skills to succeed in the competitive, global economy,” Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training, said.

Of the 12 grants awarded as a result of a Sept. 17, 2004, Department of Labor Solicitation for Grant Applications, four will fund biotechnology industry training, six will fund health care industry training and two will provide cross-industry training. Funds will advance projects in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.

Through the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, the Department of Labor has been conducting executive forums with leaders of expanding industries to identify critical workforce gaps and issues. Solutions are competitively chosen and are carried out in cooperation with employers, educational institutions and the public workforce system. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative/.

NOTE: Complete list of grantees