Mikulski, Cardin Announce New Job Training Opportunities in Maryland for Jobs of the Future

Community colleges awarded Labor Department grants to develop training programs for cyber security and green energy jobs

June 29, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced funds in the federal checkbook for Maryland community colleges to develop training programs focusing on in-demand jobs in the high growth fields of cyber security and clean energy technology. The U.S Department of Labor today awarded two-year, competitive Community-Based Job Training grants to Hagerstown Community College and the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation totaling nearly $7 million.
 
“This is about jobs, jobs, jobs. It’s about giving people the tools they need to keep the jobs they have and it’s about preparing people who need jobs for jobs that are available in Maryland today,” Senator Mikulski said. “With these funds, Maryland’s community colleges will train a new pipeline of workers to fill jobs in cyber security and clean energy technology, which are needed now and will be needed even more in the future. This is a win-win opportunity to help save lives, transform lives and transform communities.”
 
“Jobs are the key to our economic recovery and these job training grants will make it easier for Marylanders who have suffered through the worst recession since the Great Depression to obtain the training they need to get jobs in new, emerging industries,” said Senator Cardin. “This is a win-win for everyone – for our economy and for Marylanders who want to work but need new skills for a changing job market.”
 
The Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, in partnership with community colleges in Anne Arundel, Carroll and Howard counties; University of Maryland-University College; and more than a dozen industry and government partners, was awarded $4,953,035 to create a new training program in cyber security and information assurance, which will lead to more than 765 students attaining industry credentials in the field during the course of the grant.
 
Hagerstown Community College was awarded $1,794,617 to develop a training program in clean energy technology, focusing on short-term training, academic support and job placement. Whether it’s earning an associate’s degree in alternative energy or a certificate for solar/wind energy installation, 475 unemployed and dislocated workers will receive training in green energy through Hagerstown Community College in partnership with local and state agencies as well as energy firms in Western Maryland.
 
“The $125 million awarded today will create opportunities for working Americans to train for high-demand occupations with the help of our nationwide community college system,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.  “Our goal is to help workers across the country prepare for and secure good jobs, and with support from these colleges and other critical stakeholders, we’ll ensure we reach a broad base of individuals in need.”
 
Nationwide, the U. S. Department of Labor awarded $125 million in Community-Based Job Training grants through a competitive process to support workforce training for high-growth/high-demand industries through the national system of community, technical, and tribal colleges. A wide range of industries, including green industries, health care, transportation and advanced manufacturing, are considered high-growth or high-demand.