ETA News Release: [Dec. 1, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post or Jane Norris
Phone Number: 202-693-3984 or 202-693-4676
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces Nearly $1.5 Million to Expand St. Louis Area Pool of Highly Skilled Automotive Workers
Grant Is Part of $24.2 Million Advanced Manufacturing Initiative
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a grant of nearly $1.5 million to the St. Louis Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to train auto workers in advanced manufacturing technology. The grant is part of a $24.2 million advanced manufacturing workforce development effort under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, a strategic plan to prepare workers for jobs in expanding industries.
"The automotive industry increasingly utilizes advanced technologies to compete in the global economy," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This grant of nearly $1.5 million will prepare a new generation of auto industry technicians with the skills and high tech knowledge this changing industry will need and upon which these workers can build careers."
With the grant, the St. Louis WIB will provide cost-effective training for four local auto plants which have come together as the Greater St. Louis Area Automotive Consortium. This project marks the first time the four plants and their unions have planned cooperatively to provide area-wide training and share best practices. In addition to the WIB, United Autoworkers International Union-Region 5 and St. Louis Community College, consortium members include the following auto assembly plants: Ford Motor St. Louis, General Motors Wentzville, DaimlerChrysler North and DaimlerChrysler South and General Motors Truck Group Wentzville.
Workers will receive state-of-the-art training in integration of automated systems; predictive maintenance for advanced manufacturing systems; enhanced mechanical technology and enhanced electrical technology. Of those trained, 75 percent will attain industry certificates, 65 percent will receive associate degrees and 40 percent will go on to earn four-year bachelor of science degrees. Key business partners in the project will contribute more than $2.4 million to the endeavor.
"Building a pipeline of technically qualified workers will go a long way toward addressing challenges facing the auto industry today," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "The partnership of industry leaders, educators and the public workforce investment system already established in St. Louis will ensure the success of this project and will serve as a model for advanced manufacturing training programs throughout the country."
The President's High Growth Job Training Initiative is a strategic effort to better 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/.
###
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://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) 693-7773 or TTY (202) 693-7755.
