Cohen Announces Additional $3.25 Million for Memphis Workforce Development Programs
[MEMPHIS, TN] – After announcing more than $4 million for job training program expansion and development yesterday, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced an additional $3,271,358 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for job training programs at two Memphis institutions of higher learning. The funding will be used by William R. Moore College of Technology and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Memphis to develop a regional training program for the manufacturing, transportation, and logistics industries in partnership with both Southwest Tennessee Community College, which received $1,654,192 for this partnership under yesterday’s announcement, and Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Arkansas.
“This additional federal investment will help prepare Memphians with the skills they need to gain good-paying jobs in our modern economy,” said Congressman Cohen. “I am pleased to announce another important step towards improving the Memphis economy and creating jobs in our city.”
Today’s funding comes through the DOL’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant Program, a 4-year, $2 billion initiative signed into law by President Barack Obama. The funding will allow the four schools in the partnership to: deepen systemic integration among community colleges, workforce agencies and local employers; expand and enhance industry responsive career pathways by integrating evidence-based approaches; and integrate evidence-based practices in economic development and career pathways and sector partnerships.
The TAACCCT Grant Program is a DOL partnership with the U.S. Department of Education that provides community colleges and other eligible institutions of higher education with funds to expand and improve their ability to deliver education and career training programs that can be completed in 2 years or less and prepare participants for employment in high-wage, high-skill occupations.