SENATORS SNOWE, COLLINS ANNOUNCE NEARLY $5 MILLION IN FUNDING TO BRUNSWICK TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER
U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a nearly $5 million competitive grant to Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. in Brunswick. The funding will be awarded through the H-1B technical skills training grant program which provides education, training, and job placement assistance for occupations and industries where employers are currently using H-1B visas to hire foreign workers. The grant program also aims to help the long term unemployed -- those who have been unemployed for longer than six months -- receive training for careers in growing industries.
Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. will form public-private partnerships with area employers Kestrel Aircraft, Resilient Communications, and Mölnlycke Health Care, to provide a combination of on-the-job and classroom training to its 300 participants.
"The specialized industry education and training being funding by the Labor Department will provide our skilled workers with even greater tools to appeal to potential employers," said Senators Snowe and Collins. "During these challenging economic times, it is critical that we strategically invest in education and training to support Maine workers and ensure they are able to have steady, well-paying jobs in the area."
"We are very excited about this award," said Michael Bourret, Executive Director, Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. "At a time of high unemployment and an ever increasing skills gap, we have the opportunity to make a positive difference for employers and workers alike."
Many community organizations, including the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber of Commerce, Southern Maine Community College, and the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, will be joining together to assist in the training and career placement of the participants.
The grant is being funded through fees paid by employers to bring foreign workers into the United States under the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. The grants are intended to raise the technical skill levels of American workers and over time, help businesses reduce their use of the H-1B visa program.
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Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. will form public-private partnerships with area employers Kestrel Aircraft, Resilient Communications, and Mölnlycke Health Care, to provide a combination of on-the-job and classroom training to its 300 participants.
"The specialized industry education and training being funding by the Labor Department will provide our skilled workers with even greater tools to appeal to potential employers," said Senators Snowe and Collins. "During these challenging economic times, it is critical that we strategically invest in education and training to support Maine workers and ensure they are able to have steady, well-paying jobs in the area."
"We are very excited about this award," said Michael Bourret, Executive Director, Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. "At a time of high unemployment and an ever increasing skills gap, we have the opportunity to make a positive difference for employers and workers alike."
Many community organizations, including the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber of Commerce, Southern Maine Community College, and the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, will be joining together to assist in the training and career placement of the participants.
The grant is being funded through fees paid by employers to bring foreign workers into the United States under the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. The grants are intended to raise the technical skill levels of American workers and over time, help businesses reduce their use of the H-1B visa program.
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