US Department of Labor announces over $225M ARRA funded health care and high growth training grants

47,000 people will take part in training and education

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced more than $225 million in health care and high growth training grants funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The grants will allow community colleges, community-based organizations, state workforce agencies and other public entities to deliver training that leads to employment in a range of health care fields and other growing industries.  With today's announcement, organizations in all 50 states have received a share of nearly $750 million in competitive grant funding made available through the Department of Labor.

"The Recovery Act's investments are making a positive difference in the lives of America's working families," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Recovery Act funded grants announced today will ensure thousands of workers across the nation can receive high-quality training and employment services, which will lead to good jobs in health care and other industries offering career-track employment and good pay and benefits."

While grantees will serve a wide range of workers, each project will focus on targeted regional populations.  Approximately $25 million is reserved for projects serving communities impacted by automotive industry restructuring.  "With these funds announced today, workers in communities hardest hit by auto layoffs will receive additional resources to help them prepare for and find new jobs," said Dr. Edward Montgomery, executive director of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers. "The president and the administration remain committed to supporting auto communities and their workers."  Auto communities benefitting from these programs are listed in the grant summaries found at http://www.doleta.gov/factsheet/ARRA_Health_and_Other.pdf.

Today's announcement marks the sixth and final round of competitive grants made available for employment and training through the Recovery Act.  Projects funded through these grants will be conducted in partnership with the public workforce system, businesses and other organizations to guarantee that training leads to jobs.