ETA New Releases, Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

ETA News Release: [July 19, 2007]
Contact Name: Matt Faraci and Jennifer Coxe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

North Central Ohio workers to benefit from $250,000 U.S. Department of Labor grant

Grant to prepare workers for high growth careers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant (RIG) to assist Ohio in developing strategic plans to educate and prepare workers for careers in healthcare, advanced manufacturing and information technology sectors.

“With Ohio’s economy evolving on many fronts, proactive efforts to prepare area workers for careers in growing industries are encouraging,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “This Regional Innovation Grant will help regional leaders develop plans that ensure workers are presented with and prepared for good opportunities in industries Ohio has targeted as regional economic drivers.”

The grant, awarded to Ohio Richland County Job and Family Services, will support the compilation of labor market data to help identify and prioritize strategies to retain and attract businesses within the healthcare, advanced manufacturing and information technology sectors.

The Ohio counties targeted for this RIG project include Richland, Crawford, Ashland, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Seneca and Wyandot. Workers targeted for this project will include those affected by expected layoffs at General Motors.

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 and development 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's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information on National Emergency Grants and other Department of Labor employment and training programs, please visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.

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