U.S. Department of Labor awards $1 million to train state's work force

BT Catalyst, Nov-Dec, 2004

NORTH CAROLINA WILL RECEIVE A $I MILLION INCENTIVE GRANT FROM the U.S. Department of Labor for exceeding federal performance levels in three separate work force programs. The grant money will be used to train workers in biotechnology.

The N.C. Community College System, N.C. Department of Public Instruction and N.C. Department of Commerce's Division of Employment and Training each exceeded performance goals while administering federal work force programs during fiscal year 2002-2003.

"North Carolina's investments in our educational system, infrastructure and work force are paying off," said Gov. Mike Easley.

"North Carolina is a national leader in biotechnology and is the only state in the country to invest in a statewide Biotech Training Center. These funds will help us in our efforts to prepare our work force for the high-tech, knowledge-based jobs of today and tomorrow."

The biotechnology project funded by the grant award will link the activities of the Community College System, Department of Public Instruction and Department of Commerce's Division of Employment and Training to provide awareness, education and training in biotechnology to high school students, youth dropouts, dislocated workers and other adults.

The biotechnology project includes:

* A biotechnology career guidance publication to provide students, parents, teachers and counselors with information about biotechnology-related careers and * how to prepare for them.

* A "Biotechnology Pathways to Employment" learning model for use in GED and adult education classes. This model will educate and prepare older youth and adults for entry into a community college for intensive * training. Through the Department of Commerce, local work force development boards will assist in outreach efforts and the state's JobLink Career Centers will refer people to the program and help graduates find employment.

* A customized instructional program focused on career exploration, basic skills attainment and occupational training for careers related to biotechnology. The Community College System, through its BioNetwork, will implement the program.

* Partnering high school students with experienced mentors who will provide instruction to improve their performance. The Department of Public Instruction will use a portion of the grant funds to develop this program.