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ETA News Release: [05/07/2008]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan or Terry Shawn
Phone Number: (202) 693-5052 or x4676
Release Number: 08-0599-KAN

U.S. Department of Labor awards $250,000 to Iowa to develop strategies that prepare workers for new and emerging industries

Project will focus on the Tri-State Siouxland Region

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation grant to Iowa to develop strategies that prepare workers for opportunities in new and emerging industries within the Tri-State Siouxland Region, which includes northwest Iowa, northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota.

"The Tri-State Siouxland Region has come together for this joint planning effort to devise workforce strategies that build workers' skills in science, technology, engineering and math," said acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.

The grant, awarded to the Iowa Workforce Development, will support planning activities that prepare the region's workforce for careers in the growing advanced manufacturing, health care, business services and transportation sectors. The project will be led by a group of officials from the public/private workforce system, economic development, education, and business and industrial development.

Efforts through this project will include a feasibility study for establishing a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Academy/Center for Excellence, the creation of the Workforce Innovation Strategy and Planning Office, and recommendations for the development of the Tri-State Siouxland Region One-Stop Career Center.

Regional Innovation Grants are drawn from National Emergency Grant funds to assist state workforce agencies and local workforce investment boards, as well as their key partners, in the design of comprehensive and strategic regional plans focused on talent development that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century economy.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information on National Emergency Grants, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.