Clover Park Technical College receives $2.5 million competitive grant for advanced manufacturing and industrial technology career curriculum

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S.  Department of Labor announced that Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood will receive a competitive grant of $2,499,973 for its Connecting Competencies to Employers (C2E) program.

The grant devotes resources to create a core mechatronics technician path designed for advanced manufacturing and industrial technology careers. This path allows students to pursue positions in high demand with companies in the South Sound area.

“This program hits the nail on the head,” said Congressman Denny Heck of Washington’s 10th Congressional District, which includes Clover Park Technical College. “By establishing a training path to gain skills that companies in the area require, Clover Park Technical College bridges the gap between aspiring technicians and companies that are hiring in the South Sound.”

"Being the largest technical college in the state of Washington, Clover Park is well-positioned to drive workforce and economic development.  Our college is grateful to receive this grant award because it will help us to expand educational programs that will better meet the needs of business and industry and create real high-paying jobs for the citizens of South Puget Sound,” said Dr. Lonnie Howard, president of Clover Park Technical College.

The grant was a part of the Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative, which expands programs that provide relevant training programs in partnership with local employers. A total of nine colleges in Washington will benefit from $12,494,827 in funding to support job-driven training programs.

Clover Park Technical College, located in Lakewood and South Hill, offers 40 programs in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, health sciences, human services, business, hospitality, science, technology, engineering, transportation and trades.

Heck is a member of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, a bipartisan group created to enhance awareness in Congress of the need to prepare a well-educated and skilled workforce.

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