Labor Dept. $500 Million Community College Grants Include Health IT

The Department of Labor released $500 million in grants to community colleges and universities around the country for the development and expansion of training programs, including for health IT and other healthcare programs in rural areas.

The grants, announced on Sept. 19, are part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative, which promotes skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and healthcare, and encourages science, technology, engineering and math careers through partnerships between training providers and local employers.

The U.S. Department of Labor is implementing and administering the program in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education. Through the initiative, each state, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, will receive at least $2.5 million in dedicated funding for community college career training programs.