Ruppersberger, Cummings, Sarbanes Announce $10 Million Grant to Retrain Unemployed Marylanders

Enrollees will participate in unique “Career Re-start Bootcamp”

(Timonium, MD) – Congressmen C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Elijah Cummings (D-MD) today  announced a $10 million federal grant to retrain unemployed and underemployed Marylanders for jobs in the information technology and bioscience industries. They were joined by Kirkland Murray, President and CEO of the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, which will use the funds to create the “Maryland Tech Connection” along with nearly 60 academic and corporate partners.

About 1,000 Marylanders will benefit, all of which will participate in a unique “Career Re-Start Bootcamp” to help them re-image their job search and learn how to better market themselves to prospective employers. Enrollees will also receive job placement help.

“I am proud to have supported this grant, which brings together employers, nonprofit organizations and government to connect ready-to-work Americans with ready-to-be-filled jobs,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “In this difficult economy, it is exactly the type of investment we should be making to help Maryland families get off the unemployment rolls and back onto pay rolls.”

“Despite strong economic growth, Americans who have fallen into long term unemployment are still stuck on the sidelines ¬¬– often lacking the skills and support to find jobs in new fields,” said Congressman Cummings. “This grant will give many Marylanders struggling in these circumstances a fresh start, offering them the training and individual assistance to find their footing in the job market. I’m truly excited about the impact this will have on our state.”

“With Maryland expecting to add more than 8,000 information technology and bioscience jobs, this grant will give workers the skills they need to secure employment in one of our nation’s fastest-growing industries,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “AAWDC has long offered workforce training to Marylanders, and the organization is well-positioned to deliver valuable, twenty-first century skills to people across our state, which will ultimately help reduce unemployment.”

“Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation is proud to lead Maryland Tech Connection, a state-wide partnership of 59 companies and organizations including employers, workforce partners, economic development partners, training providers, community partners, and foundations,” said the organizations President and CEO, Kirkland Murray. “The program will utilize a demand-driven system and comprehensive wrap-around services to address the unique barriers long-term unemployed face. Participants will get the hands-on experience and training needed to meet the requirements of our employer partners. We will also educate businesses on how their hiring practices could unknowingly and unintentionally discriminate against long-term unemployed. Ultimately this grant will allows us to get Maryland residents back to work.”