Sen. Landrieu Announces $17.5M in Trade Adjustment Assistance Grants
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced $17.5 million in grants for career training and education programs at Elaine P. Nunez Community College in Chalmette, La., and schools in the IT Pathways Consortium - including Bossier Parish Community College and eight other schools in Louisiana and Mississippi - to benefit workers laid off due to trade adjustments. The funds are provided though the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) program, a partnership of the Departments of Labor and Education.
"These grants come at a critical time when many hard-working residents have lost their jobs through no fault of their own," Sen. Landrieu said. "These funds will play a vital role in providing the skills and opportunities needed to move these deserving Louisianians into a stable career that will allow them to prosper and provide for their families. I am thankful to Nunez and Bossier Parish Community Colleges, as well as all the schools in the IT Pathways Consortium, for their commitment to educating and building a competitive workforce for our state."
TAACCCT provides community colleges and other eligible institutions of higher education with funds to expand and improve their education and career training programs. Eligible programs can be completed in two years or less, are suited for workers who are eligible for training under the TAA for Workers program, and prepare program participants for employment in high-wage, high-skill occupations.
Today's grants include:
- $14.7 million to IT Pathways Consortium. Bossier Parish Community College will receive $7.6 million and each other member of the consortium - including Delgado Community College, Northeast Louisiana Technical College, South Louisiana Community College, and several Mississippi Community Colleges - will receive $887,000. The grants will help implement evidence-based IT career pathway programs in computer support, health records, network security and other IT specialties.
- $2.8 million to Elaine P. Nunez Community College in Chalmette, La., to implement a redesigned Associate of Applied Science for Business Administration. The funds will also be used for two new Associate of Applied Sciences under Business Administration programs focused on Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management and Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration. The college faculty will also create and implement an entrepreneurship center which will be used as a resource center for small businesses within the area.
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