Department of Labor announces $12M in additional funding available to improve job quality, expand access to good jobs in critical industries

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $12 million in additional funds to improve job quality and increase the availability of good jobs in critical industries, including an emphasis on training provided for jobs in the care economy such as home, elder and childcare.

This second round of Critical Sectors Job Quality grants responds to the increased demand for workers in industries essential to a revitalized economy but who have historically been in low-wage jobs with fewer benefits, less worker protections and greater instability. 

Successful applicants will use the funding to develop and employ training programs consistent with the Good Jobs Principles the departments of Labor and Commerce have outlined.

“The Biden-Harris administration knows that good jobs change lives and these grants will help to do just that,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “As President Biden continues to build an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, the Department of Labor is working tirelessly to ensure that jobs created by the administration’s historic investments are good, quality jobs. This additional round of funding of our Critical Sectors Job Quality grants will help improve the quality of jobs in high-demand industries that will continue to drive our historic economic growth.”

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the Critical Sectors Job Quality Grant Program emphasizes strong partnerships that involve industry and worker voices collectively to improve job quality and increase successful outcomes, particularly for people from historically underserved communities. Consistent with ETA’s Demonstration Grants, the funding builds on research and evidence-based models to improve results for the workforce system.

Learn more about the Critical Sectors Job Quality funding opportunity and apply.