As part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has ponied up a $240,000 grant to Maryland to fund apprenticeship and training programs for transportation-related careers. The grant is part of the Federal Highway Administration's On the Job Training/Supportive Services (OJT/SS) program to help recruit and retain minorities, women and disadvantaged people on highway constructions projects in Maryland.
"Programs that help improve skills translate into jobs, particularly higher-paying jobs," says Sen. Ben Cardin. "Our economic recovery depends on making sure that Marylanders -- and all Americans -- have the skills and training that are needed for jobs in the 21st Century."
"The Recovery Act is about jobs, jobs, jobs," Sen. Barbara Mikulski says. "This funding will help people who need a job and can't find one. And it will help people who want to keep a job or move up in a job but need more training. It is an investment in Marylanders and also an investment in Maryland's future."
The Maryland grant was included in the announcement of $11.8 million from DoT in ARRA job training grants for 19 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Created in 1998, the OJT/SS program promotes training opportunities for women and minorities who continue to be underrepresented in the highway construction industry's skilled and semi-skilled crafts, such as masonry and carpentry.
Source: Senator Ben Cardin
Writer: Walaika Haskins