This week, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez announced $30.5 million in grants will be going to 11 colleges in the Florida College System (FCS). The grants come from the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation to train unemployed workers impacted by foreign trade. More than 180 colleges across the nation will be getting $474.5 million due to the grants.
"These investments in demand-driven skills training bring together education, labor, business and community leaders to meet the real-world needs of the changing global marketplace, Perez said in Colorado on Wednesday. These partnerships strengthen not only the American workforce, but the American economy, as well."
With almost $377.5 million of that amount going to community colleges, Obama administration officials pointed to the importance of those schools.
"Community colleges play a vital role in training Americans to meet the needs of employers today," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "As our economy continues to rebuild, businesses are looking for employees with the skills their company needs to stay competitive, and America's students and adult workers want to be equipped to fill those roles. These grants help to meet those demands, providing critical investments in education and supporting key partnerships."
"For America's workforce to be competitive in the 21st century, our workers must possess the skills employers need for their businesses to succeed. That is why employers should partner with educational institutions and government to help develop curriculum and credentialing programs at the local level," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. "This round of grants has an increased emphasis on creating the types of training programs that will prepare community college students for the jobs in which they are needed, which is good for employees, employers and the strength of our economy."
FCS schools received $30.5 million to train Floridians on supply chain management and information technology.
The Florida College System plays a vital role in preparing the workforce by responding to business and industry needs, said FCS Chancellor Randy Hanna. With $30.5 million in funding, our colleges have a tremendous opportunity to strengthen Americas workforce through strong local partnerships and work-based training.
Four Florida schools will get more than half of the funds. Broward College is getting almost $13 million to train students in supply chain management. St. Petersburg College is penciled to receive $3.5 million with $2 million of that going to orthotics and prosthetics education and the rest going to supply chain management. The College of Central Florida is scheduled to get $3.2 million training students in rural areas on information technology. Palm Beach State College will get $2.3 million with $1.2 million of that going to information technology and the rest going to economic and workforce development.
Five other colleges will be getting funds to train students on information technology with $1.5 million going to Eastern Florida State College, $1.4 million to Edison State College, $1 million to South Florida State College, $900,000 to St. Johns River State College and $800,000 to North Florida Community College.
Polk State College will get $1.6 million for economic and workforce development while $1.1 million is headed to Florida State College at Jacksonville for supply chain management.
The FCS noted plans are in place for each of the schools receiving federal funds to create two-year programs to train Floridians.
With this funding, colleges will be more equipped to meet the needs of the ever-evolving global marketplace, said Hanna. I commend our colleges for their hard work in providing high-quality and affordable training for Floridas workforce.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
