ETA News Release: [Nov. 5, 2004]
Contact Name: Jeannine Lupton or Chad Aleshire
Phone Number: 206- 553-7620 or 202-693-2703
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces Nearly $1.5 Million to Train Washington Workers for Careers in the Aerospace Industry
Grant is Part of $3 Million Aerospace Industry Initiative
LYNNWOOD, Wash. - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a grant of nearly $1.5 million to Edmonds Community College to train workers for careers in the aerospace industry. The grant is part of a $3 million aerospace industry worker training effort under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, a strategic plan to prepare workers for jobs in America's fastest growing industries. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco was in Washington state to present the award.
"For qualified workers, industry growth and retirements will create significant opportunities in the aerospace industry over the next decade," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This grant will help address the aerospace industry's need for a reservoir of workers with the skills needed in this evolving industry."
With its grant, Edmonds Community College and its partners will focus on increasing the development of curricula, career ladders and distance learning approaches for advanced aerospace technician positions associated with the Boeing 7E7 supply chain. The training models developed will also be used as tools in the marine, bio-medical, and construction industries.
"Building a pipeline of qualified aerospace industry workers is crucial in addressing the aerospace sector's need for a highly skilled workforce," said DeRocco. "This project's business, education and workforce development partnership will help ensure its success in developing innovative approaches to address the workforce needs of business, while also effectively helping workers find good jobs with good wages and promising career pathways in the aerospace industry."
Key partners in the project include Everett Community College, the Boeing Company, the Snohomish Workforce Development Council, the Snohomish Economic Development Council and other Snohomish County aerospace manufacturing supplier industries.
The President's High Growth Job Training Initiative is a strategic effort to better prepare workers for new job opportunities in high growth sectors of the American economy. Through 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.
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