ETA New Releases, Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

ETA News Release: [June 30, 2004 ]
Contact Name: Kate Dugan
Phone Number: 215-861-5101

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor Announces Delaware Grant to Promote Biotechnology Careers

Grant Is Part of $17.2 Million for Biotechnology Industry Training under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative

WILMINGTON, Del. - U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco today announced a $250,000 grant to raise awareness among young people about biotechnology careers. The grant, awarded to the Delaware Workforce Investment Board, is part of a $17.2 million national effort developed under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative to address workforce challenges facing the biotechnology industry.

"President Bush and Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao want young people to know about career opportunities in growing industries like biotechnology, which is projected to add more than 100,000 jobs by 2007," said DeRocco. "This grant will fund outreach programs that provide hands-on experience to interest Delaware youth in pursuing studies in the exciting fields of science and biotechnology."

Through the grant, the Delaware Workforce Investment Board will engage the state education system and the biotech business community in getting young people interested in life sciences using the Delaware-based Science in Motion and Agilent After School programs.

The Science in Motion project will use two vans to bring science equipment to classrooms around the state. The vans are driven by experienced science instructors who, together with volunteer mentors, assist the classroom teacher in conducting laboratory activities.

The Agilent After School program is a hands-on science experience for children ages nine to 13. Using science kits, with guidance from Agilent Technologies employees and volunteer students from Delaware Technical and Community College, kids conduct science experiments related to electronic circuitry, balloon-powered cars, terrariums and more.

Key partners in the project include the Delaware Technical and Community College, the Delaware Economic and Development office, Delaware Department of Education and Agilent Technologies.

The President's High Growth Job Training Initiative is a strategic effort to prepare workers for 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. More information can be found at www.doleta.gov.

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