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MCCC Announces Plans for Federal Training Grant Funds

2011-10-06

Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) will use its portion of grant funds from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) program to educate and train displaced workers in high-demand occupations.

Funding for this initiative is part a three-year $20 million federal TAACCCT grant awarded to Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“This grant is transformative in that it supports Pennsylvania’s community colleges in collectively responding to the Commonwealth’s workforce development needs with new programs and support services that are aligned with the needs of our workforce system,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president of Montgomery County Community College. “The grant will help community colleges rapidly produce high-skilled workers for employment in industry sectors that will define the economy of our state and our nation for years to come.”

According to the U.S Department of Labor, 57 percent of workers in trade-related fields hold only a high school diploma or its equivalent, and close to 60 percent of Pennsylvania’s trade workers are between 40 and 60 years of age. Employers cite a critical shortage of qualified workers to fill jobs in the growing industries of advanced manufacturing, energy and health care technology.

While qualifying students may enroll in most of MCCC’s career and certificate programs through this initiative, the college will use a portion of its $1,198,165 grant to develop and deliver six new programs in three targeted industries.

In each of the six new programs, online, self-paced basic skills education will be available to students, as needed, that will complement their specific skills training. The grant also funds a full-time career coach, who will provide one-on-one case management, advising and job development for students in the program. Positions for full-time program manager and part-time project administrator are also funded by the grant.

For more information about workforce development and training programs at MCCC, visit www.mc3.edu/WorkforceDevelopment.

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