WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) today announced a $1.5 million grant to the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to educate and prepare workers for careers in advanced manufacturing. The WIB was one of11 organizations 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 Philadelphia WIB will fund training programs to help gain the skills necessary to succeed in careers in the fast growing Advanced Manufacturing sector.”

The project will work with regional community colleges to build pipelines for workers in the bio-manufacturing and life sciences sectors. The project also will create programs for industry-validated, skill-based certificates and an integrated learning process that delivers a well-educated, highly trained, skilled workforce.

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 Pennsylvania 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/.