The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of $65 million in funding to support programs aimed at helping community colleges enhance affordable, high-quality workforce training. This initiative seeks to meet the skill development needs of employers and workers in critical industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, semiconductors, and biotechnology.
Acting Secretary Julie Su and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden will officially announce the funding in Las Vegas at an event hosted by Workforce Connections, the Southern Nevada workforce board. This announcement is part of the department’s ongoing Good Jobs Summer Tour.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this fifth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants aims to use proven strategies to enhance career pathway programs and support more equitable outcomes for marginalized and underrepresented populations. The funds will leverage community college partnerships to make systemic changes.
“Community colleges are foundational institutions in ensuring a strong and competitive American workforce that stand to benefit from the opportunities created by the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training José Javier Rodríguez. “The Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants reflect the Department of Labor’s strategy of investing in critical sectors, our commitment to community colleges nationwide and ongoing dedication to supporting workers, their families and their employers, particularly in underserved communities.”
The department plans to award initial grants of up to $1.75 million for single institutions and up to $5.75 million for individual groups of institutions. At least one grant will be awarded to a Tribally controlled college. The department will continue its national impact evaluation of grantees, which began with the fourth round of grants, identifying a subset of colleges for further evaluation. These grant recipients will receive additional funding and time to complete their projects.
This round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants aims to build the capacity of community colleges to increase access to educational and economic opportunities for individuals from underserved communities. The focus aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda. Once awarded, total investments through these grants will reach $265 million.
Learn about and apply for Strengthening Community College Grants.
