News Release
ETA News Release: [December 31, 2003]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
Labor Department Awards $3 Million to Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership For High-Tech Training
BEAVERTON, Ore. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration has awarded $3 million to the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership to train approximately 464 workers in the field of advanced manufacturing.
"This Administration is committed to helping workers get the training they need to get good paying jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This $3 million grant will be used to upgrade the skills of workers."
Beaverton-based Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership will use the Labor Department grant to train 97 engineers; 15 information technology (IT) professionals; 143 management professionals; 20 accounting and finance professionals; and 189 business services and manufacturing professionals. Training will be comprised of both classroom and workplace-based activities and participants will receive continuing education credits and professional certifications.
Employer partners have committed to providing more than $3.2 million in the form of matching funds and paid time for employees to attend training. The grantee is also providing matching funds in the amount of $205,000.
"This grant illustrates the kind of workforce development partnerships we are encouraging to address the challenges facing 21st century businesses," said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. "When businesses identify the skills their workforce needs, educators and our public workforce system can be key players in preparing workers for the highly skilled jobs in high-demand fields."
This grant and others totaling approximately $49 million were awarded competitively to business-led partnerships nationwide to train workers for high-skill, high-tech occupations.
###
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.
