ETA News Release: [October 29, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984 or 202-693-4676
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $136,000 Grant to Train Hispanic Workers for Careers in the Automotive Industry
Grant Is Part of $6.3 Million for Automotive Industry Training
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $136,000 grant to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USHCCF) to train Hispanic workers for careers in the automotive industry. The grant is part of a $6.3 million automotive industry workforce development effort under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, which is helping workers find and prepare for jobs in America's fastest growing industries.
"There will be significant opportunities for workers in the automotive services sector over the next 10 years," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This $136,000 grant will give job seekers who would otherwise be hindered by language or other social barriers the enhanced skills they need for good careers in the automotive industry."
With the grant, the Chamber will develop a training model for service technicians and match it with a coaching approach that includes one-on-one and follow-up mentoring.
"The training and support offered by this project will help diversify the automotive sector workforce and reduce potential future labor shortages within the industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "For expanding industries, it is imperative that we expand opportunities to non-traditional constituencies and those with language and other barriers."
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, like today's grant, are then created in cooperation with employers, education and the public workforce system. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative/.
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