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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: 05-1011-DEN

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Awards $871,000 to University of Utah for Health Care Project

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

SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a grant of $871,707 to the University of Utah. 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 $871,707 grant to the University of Utah, like the other 11 projects funded through this competition, will help workers prepare for careers in professions that are in high demand.”

The University of Utah will use the grant to increase the number of clinical faculty available to train nurses at the baccalaureate level and help retain clinical nurses and faculty by promoting career advancement through a Clinical Faculty Associate Program. Training additional clinical faculty associates will allow the university to admit more students into its nursing program. The openings will be made available to students eligible for training funds under the Workforce Investment Act. As a result of the customized Teaching Nursing Specialty curriculum developed by this project, 13 clinical faculty associates will enroll in the University of Utah 's Teaching Nursing program and 32 additional students will enter baccalaureate nursing programs.

“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