Job training at the Community College of Vermont in Waterbury received a $2.4 million boost from a federal award announced Monday by Vermont’s congressional delegation and Gov. Peter Shumlin.
The money is part of a $2 billion U.S. Department of Labor program to support workforce development at community colleges across the country.
“In order for Vermont to stay competitive, our colleges must equip the workforce with skill sets that match the changing needs of local businesses,” Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said in a joint statement. “This award affirms the important work that CCV is doing training Vermont workers, and it is an important investment in our economy’s future.”
Shumlin said CCV will develop customized assessments and job training instruction with the grant.
“It will help those Vermonters who are now unemployed and underemployed, or who have lost their jobs due to trade or other economic impacts, as well as those with special barriers to employment,” Shumlin said. “We are very grateful to the U.S. Department of Labor and Secretary Perez and to our entire federal delegation for their continued support of workforce development efforts here in Vermont.”
CCV President Joyce Judy said the funds will be used in close partnership with Vermont Technical College. The resulting programs will focus on training for careers in health care, manufacturing and agribusiness.
“CCV was able to implement some very effective workforce training initiatives with the funding received in a previous grant from the U.S. Department of Labor,” Judy said. “Moving forward, this award will allow us to create more streamlined and targeted pathways for Vermonters to move easily from CCV into Vermont Tech, as well as the workforce.”
