Carson, U.S. Secretary of Labor Announce Community-Based Job Training Grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman André Carson joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today to announce a Community-Based Job Training Grant that will help put Hoosiers back to work in Central Indiana.

The $2.9 million grant was awarded to the Indianapolis Private Industry Council (IPIC) to benefit the organization's PriorITize project. This project focuses on recruiting unemployed, dislocated and incumbent workers for training in the IT industry.  Areas of focus include health information technology (HIT), as well as the increasing need for computer support specialists and security system technicians.

"I am extremely pleased and excited about the opportunity this grant will provide for hundreds of Hoosiers to receive the training they need to regain employment," said Congressman Carson. "By focusing on the IT industry, including the emerging health information technology sector, Indianapolis continues to show it's a leader in these high-growth industries, which have the long-term potential to support even more new jobs in Central Indiana."

The award is part of $125 million in grants to 41 community colleges and organizations throughout the country. This was the fifth and final round of Community-Based Job Training Grant awards, with winners being chosen from among 323 applications received in response to a competition first announced on March 15.

"The $125 million awarded today will create opportunities for working Americans to train for high-demand occupations with the help of our nationwide community college system," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.  "Our goal is to help workers across the country prepare for and secure good jobs, and with support from these colleges and other critical stakeholders, we'll ensure we reach a broad base of individuals in need."

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