Carper, Coons, Carney announce almost $5 million in job training funds for Delaware Technical Community College

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney today announced a total of $4,994,200 in Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training funding for job training and workforce development at Delaware Technical Community College. They joined Delaware Tech President Orlando George, Jr., on campus and Delaware Tech Vice President for Academic Affairs Stephanie Smith, who participated via videoconference, Friday morning to make the announcement.

“This grant will help provide the resources we need to build a well-educated work force for the future of our economy in Delaware and the region,” Senator Carper said. “We have motivated, skilled workers in Delaware and this grant will help put them back to work.”

“I am extremely proud of Delaware Tech for taking the lead on this initiative to provide access to training that will translate into high-wage, high-skill jobs,” Senator Coons said. “Creating jobs is my top priority. The key to reviving and strengthening the American economy lies in building a well-educated workforce; and I cannot stress enough the importance of creating continuing education opportunities like those that are offered at Del Tech.”

“Having a qualified workforce is key to creating jobs and strengthening the economy,” said Congressman Carney. “Delaware’s workforce is one of the most skilled in the nation, and I’m excited for this opportunity to further prepare workers for the jobs of the future. The programs and partnerships that Delaware Tech can create with this funding will lead directly to economic growth that benefits the entire community.”

“The College is grateful to Senator Carper, Senator Coons and Congressman Carney for working diligently in Washington to secure this much needed federal funding and for their belief in the mission of Delaware Tech,” President George said.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is designed to help workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States. Over four years, up to $2 billion will be invested in American community colleges and career-training centers to help accelerate individual learning help displaced workers find new careers.

Delaware Technical Community College will use the grant to expand its ability to prepare workers for emerging employment opportunities in agriculture, aviation, energy, healthcare, and information technology. It will begin six new programs across its four campuses to help unemployed Delawareans who have lost their jobs due to globalization in the automotive, chemical, credit card, and poultry industries.

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