US Department of Labor awards $45M to help 13 colleges in 12 states expand access to training for good-paying jobs

WASHINGTON – To provide people too often marginalized and underrepresented in the U.S. with a route to good-paying jobs, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $45 million in grant funding to 13 colleges in 12 states to help expand career and technical education programs.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this second round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training grants will allow these colleges – individually or collectively – to improve their ability to address equity gaps and meet employers and workers’ skills development needs. The grants will enable these institutions to focus on specific industry sectors and career pathways training for skill development, rapid reskilling and employment in quality jobs. 

“Today’s funding awards will connect people – particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented communities – with the education and training they need for good-paying jobs,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “These grants are designed to empower community colleges to ensure their curriculum meets the needs of employers in their communities and equips workers with valuable skills.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently found that college graduates earn nearly twice as much as those with only a high school diploma, which underscores the economic disparity faced by those without access to quality career and technical education programs and other forms of education.

“The Biden-Harris administration wants to build community college capacity for in-demand skills training through strategic partnerships between industry, education and the workforce system, and the department’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants respond to these challenges,” Secretary Walsh added.

In March 2022, the department announced available funding of up to $1.6 million for single institutions and up to $5 million for consortiums, with priority consideration given to applications submitted by Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Minority-Serving Institutions Programs or Strengthening Institutions Programs, using the U.S. Department of Education’s eligibility indicators.

In addition, in June 2022, the department announced the availability of $50 million in grant funding for a third round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants. The funding opportunity for the third round of grant funding closes Oct. 14, 2022.

A list of the grant recipients in the second round follows this release.