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ETA News Release: [12/19/2005]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or 202-693-3984
Release Number: 05-2322-DEN

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $2.4 Million Grant to Train Wyoming Workers for Energy Industry Careers

Grant Is Part of President's High Growth Job Training Initiative

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $2.4 million grant to help prepare Wyoming workers for careers in the energy industry. The grant, awarded to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, is part of nearly $27 million in investments made in support of the nation's energy workforce through the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, a strategic plan to prepare workers for jobs in expanding industries.

"The increasing demand for energy resources is creating new jobs in the oil and gas industry and this means good career opportunities for Wyoming workers who have the right skill sets," said Chao. "Today's $2.4 million grant, provided under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, helps workers who are interested in accessing these new job opportunities to get the job training they need to succeed."

The grant will establish a basic safety training program to equip approximately 1,500 new workers for oil and gas industry jobs in the Rocky Mountain region. The program will prepare individuals to meet industry safety standards and acquire training through the use of simulated work environments on a 76-acre simulated oil and gas field.

"Equipping local area workers with necessary skills will help state economic development efforts and provide a skilled pipeline of workers for this growing industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "Working with the Wyoming Contractors Association, the state's Department of Workforce Services will address the industry's need for skilled workers while providing 1,500 individuals access to valuable career opportunities."

Safety training for heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, crane operators and safety coordinators will also be implemented. Approximately 30 workers will be trained each week for 50 weeks out of the year.

The President's High Growth Job Training Initiative is a strategic effort to 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. For more information, please visit www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative/.