WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) today announced a $1.5 million grant to the state of Oklahoma to educate and prepare workers for careers in advanced manufacturing. Oklahoma was one of 11 entities selected from among 186 applicants competing under the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative.

“It’s important to invest in our workforce” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “The $1.5 million we are awarding to the state of Oklahoma will fund training programs to help gain the skills necessary to succeed in careers in the fast growing Advanced Manufacturing sector.”

This project will train some of Oklahoma’s most disadvantaged youth for careers in advanced manufacturing. A career pathways model, which will be piloted for youth aging out of the foster care system and other disadvantaged youth, will be developed to connect young people to manufacturing training and careers. The project also will utilize the local workforce investment system and Oklahoma’s world-class Career Technology system to match training providers to business needs.

Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the U.S. economy and is responsible for more innovation than any other sector. It continues to contribute significantly to economic growth and to American competitiveness in world markets. Jobs in manufacturing provide workers better wages and benefits than those in other fields. Manufacturers, nonetheless, report persistent challenges in filling high-quality jobs available today.

Over the past several years, ETA has engaged manufacturers in forums and numerous projects and has begun collaborating with public and private entities on science, technology, engineering and math – STEM – issues.

“Manufacturers stand ready to hire, but they need workers equipped to advance America’s competitive edge,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “This project offers innovative tools for preparing workers in Oklahoma and in regions well beyond their home state.”

The President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative is a strategic effort to prepare workers to take advantage of new job opportunities in high growth sectors of the American economy. Through executive forums with leaders of expanding industries, critical workforce gaps and issues are identified. Regional solutions are chosen through competitions that involve area employers, educational institutions and the public workforce system. For more information, please visit www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative/.