Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announces H-1B technical skills training grant competition

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $240 million through the H-1B technical skills training grant competition. The U.S. Department of Labor expects to fund 75-100 grants through a single solicitation. Individual grants will range from $1 million to $5 million and will be distributed through two rounds of funding. The projects to be funded will help workers update current skills or acquire new ones so they can enter career pathways leading to higher-paying jobs.

"This administration is committed to getting all Americans back to work and into good jobs. These grants will create important opportunities for those who may still be searching for work after many months of unemployment," said Secretary Hilda L. Solis. "As they seek out new careers in promising industries, our nation's workers need and deserve access to quality training and employment services. The H-1B technical skills grant competition will help make that possible."

The Labor Department intends to award at least $150 million to grantees that provide on-the-job training to all participants. The remaining funds will be awarded to applicants that offer other training strategies. At least $45 million of the total will be awarded to applicants providing training for occupations in the health care industry and at least $60 million will be awarded to applicants serving individuals experiencing long-term unemployment.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the online tutorial "Grant Applications 101: A Plain English Guide to ETA Competitive Grants," available at http://www.workforce3one.org/page/grants_toolkit. Prospective applicants can register at http://www.grants.gov to access the solicitation. The Labor Department also posts grant information at http://www.doleta.gov/grants.