News Release
ETA News Release: [December 31, 2003]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
Labor Department Awards $3 Million To
Computer Systems Institute For High-Tech Training
SKOKIE, Ill. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has awarded $3 million to Computer Systems Institute to train 432 incumbent high-tech workers and 160 unemployed workers in information technology (IT).
"This Administration is committed to helping workers get the training they need to get good paying jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This $3 million grant will be used to upgrade the skills of workers."
Skokie, Ill.-based Computer Systems Institute will use the Labor Department grant for two programs focusing on high-level IT occupations - systems analyst and systems engineer. Designed to address the needs of IT professionals and businesses, the program couples hands-on training with internships and on-the-job experience.
Participants will be required to have a minimum of four years experience in the field. Potential outcomes include industry-recognized certifications, salary increases and an opportunity to earn up to 60 credit hours toward a bachelors or masters degree.
In-kind matching contributions from participating employer partners and the grantee total over $3 million.
"This grant illustrates the kind of workforce development partnerships we are encouraging to address the challenges facing 21st century businesses," said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. "When businesses identify the skills their workforce needs, educators and our public workforce system can be key players in preparing workers for the highly skilled jobs in high-demand fields."
This grant and others totaling approximately $49 million were awarded competitively to business-led partnerships nationwide to train workers for high-skill, high-tech occupations.
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