ETA New Releases
ETA News Release: [June 7, 2005]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or 202-693-3984
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Awards Nearly $920,500 to Temple College for Biotechnology Project
Grants Totaling $12 Million Will Fund 12 Health Care and Biotechnology Training Projects Nationwide
TEMPLE, Texas - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a grant of $920,495 to Temple College. 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 $920,495 grant to Temple College, like the other 11 projects funded through this competition, will help workers prepare for careers in professions that are in high demand."
Over the last four years the region's biotech industry has experienced strong growth. It is projected to double in size over the next five years, creating great demand for workers. Temple College will use its grant to increase the pipeline of students entering biotech occupations by accessing new and untapped labor pools and developing curricula around biotech career ladders and lattices for Medical Laboratory, Biotechnology/Research and Genomic Technicians. As a result of this project, 132 high school students, 230 downsized employees, and 70 students with limited English proficiency will be trained. At least 20 students will be placed from the new programs, and three agreements will be reached to award degrees to students with two years community college plus two years of college experience.
"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 grants 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: Click here to view the complete list of grantees.
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U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
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