The Department of Labor has announced the availability of approximately $35 million in funding through the second round of Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs grants. This initiative is designed to prepare workers for the well-paid infrastructure jobs being created by the Biden-Harris administration’s “Investing in America” agenda.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, these grants enable public-private partnerships to develop, implement and scale worker-centered programs. These programs train individuals for in-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, information technology, and professional, scientific and technical service occupations.
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training José Javier Rodríguez stated, “The Biden-Harris administration’s historic investments in clean energy and infrastructure projects are creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs across the country.” He further noted that "The Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program helps honor the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to ensuring all workers – including women, people of color, veterans and those who have been historically left behind – have access to the training and skills needed to fill the good jobs being created.”
In September 2023, the department announced nearly $94 million in grants awarded to 34 recipients in 25 states and the District of Columbia during the first round of Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs grants.
The second round of funding requires applicants to choose one of two tracks: a development track that establishes local and regional partnerships to implement new sector-based training programs in infrastructure-related sectors; or a scaling track that expands an existing local or regional training partnership model with success in a specific infrastructure-related sector to state or national level.
It should be noted that successful lead applicants from round one may not apply as lead applicants for round two. However, they are eligible to apply as partners in this round.
The additional funds will continue focusing on designing workforce training programs that embed diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility. They aim at creating pathways in infrastructure-related industries while leveraging Good Jobs Principles as outlined by the Departments of Labor and Commerce.
