TAA community college grants awarded.

Earlier today, the Obama administration announced nearly $500 million in capacity-building grants to community colleges and consortia of community colleges to support job training and education aimed at dislocated workers. 32 grantees, representing 35 states and the District of Columbia, will use grant funds to development and implement innovative workforce strategies in cooperation with local and regional employers, including through career pathways models, sector-based strategies, and initiatives to increase attainment of degrees, certificates, and other industry-recognized credentials.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training  (TAACCCT) program was created as part of the broader TAA reauthorization under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and is jointly administered by the Departments of Labor and Education. Congress provided $500 million in funding for the program in each of Fiscal Years (FY) 2011-2014 – for a total of $2 billion - under last year’s budget reconciliation bill.

By law, each state will ultimately receive at least $2.5 million per year in funding under TAACCCT. The agencies have announced that they will work with states that did not receive awards under today’s announcement to develop qualifying community college projects.

View descriptions of today's grantees and funded projects here.