On April 13, 2001, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced that local boards that administer federally-funded workforce training programs are being invited by the Labor Department to compete for grants to provide technical skills training for workers who have lost their jobs, or who want to upgrade their skills or change occupations.

Chao, in a meeting with executives from Silicon Valley high-tech firms, said approximately $135 million will be available for the grants, which are financed by fees paid by employers who bring skilled foreign workers to this country on a temporary basis to work in high skill occupations.

"The Department of Labor is using these resources to make a substantial investment in training American workers for jobs in high-tech industries," Chao said. "The department's Employment and Training Administration will select programs for funding, and we plan to begin announcing the grant awards this summer,"

Local workforce investment boards in partnership with at least one business or business association and one community and/or faith-based organization, a higher-education institution or labor union may apply for grants -- up to $3 million

Information and procedures to apply for the H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant were published April 13th in the Federal Register. Applications, which are also available below are being accepted for these technical skills training grants for employed and unemployed American workers. Applications are being accepted until further notice.