Thursday, October 11, 2012

Advanced Manufacturing, Green Jobs Training

$20 Million in Support of American Manufacturing

In order to create an economy built to last, the Department of Labor joined other executive branch agencies this week in announcing that 10 public-private partnerships will receive $20 million to boost American manufacturing and encourage companies to invest in the United States. 


The 10 partnerships were selected through the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge, a competitive multi-agency grant process announced in May to support initiatives that strengthen advanced manufacturing at the local level. The 10 winning initiatives — based in Arizona, California, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington — are expected to train 1,000 workers and help nearly 650 companies spur job creation. "By partnering across the federal government, these grants will help us leverage resources and ensure that training programs for advanced manufacturing careers provide the skills, certifications and credentials that employers want to see from day one," Secretary Solis said. 


The announcement on Oct. 9 was made by the department's Employment and Training Administration, the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration and National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy, the Small Business Administration, and the National Science Foundation.

• Read the News Release



TAACCCT Tour Continues in Kansas and Missouri

"A well-trained workforce means higher productivity, higher quality, higher profits and higher growth. And that adds up to more good-paying jobs," Secretary Solis said Oct. 10 in St. Louis. Solis visited two schools that recently received Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training grants to promote training partnerships between the colleges and local employers. All industries rely on a skilled workforce, and community colleges play a crucial role in training students to meet local employer needs. 


On Oct. 10, Solis visited St. Louis Community College to tour the Emerson Center for Engineering and Manufacturing. The college is leading a 10-school consortium that received almost $15 million to provide trade-impacted and long-term unemployed workers with training and industry-recognized credentials in the advanced manufacturing field. Rep. Lacy Clay and several local employers joined Solis in front of 50 students, faculty, administrators and employee partners to discuss the importance of support for such training partnerships. 


On Oct. 11, Solis traveled to Kansas City Kansas Community College to tour its Technical Education Centers. The school recently received almost $3 million to help improve training for high-wage, high-skill occupations in industries such as construction; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and advanced manufacturing. "Today, we take a critical step to reassure folks that investing in their education is the best nvestment they can make," Solis said.


• View the Slideshow 
• Learn More About TAACCCT



Apprenticeship Program Leads to Dream Job

Even while he was working long hours as a grocery stock clerk, Richard James was determined to find a rewarding career in the electrical trades where he could "work with my hands," just as an uncle had done. James found his opportunity through the Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship Program funded through the department's Green Jobs Innovation Fund. The six-week building trades course work James received included orientation to green jobs technology, blueprint reading, construction math, flagging, wiring, and introduction to tools and materials. He also received job readiness training that included test preparation and interview training techniques. James passed his tests, received his certifications, and became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. James now works full time as an electrician, with a bright future ahead of him.

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