This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Federal grants totaling $240 million are available to organizations that help people develop the technical skills necessary to get a job.
The U.S. Department of Labor expects to provide 75 to 100 grants, ranging from $1 million to $5 million, to applicants whose proposals update workers' current skills or help them acquire new ones "so they can enter career pathways leading to higher paying jobs."
"This administration is committed to getting all Americans back to work and into good jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. "These grants will create important opportunities for those who may still be searching for work after many months of unemployment."
In a news release, she said at least $150 million will go to grantees providing on-the-job training to all participants. The rest of the grants will be awarded to applicants offering other training strategies. In addition, $45 million will be dedicated to training in health care industry jobs, while at least $60 million will be reserved for the long-term unemployed.
To obtain a copy of the solicitation for proposals, go to http://www.grants.gov. The Labor Department also posts grant information at the same website.
The department is encouraging prospective applicants to view a tutorial, "Grant Applications 101: A Plain English Guide to ETA Competitive Grants" at http://www.workforce3one.org/page/grants_toolkit.