Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today announced a solicitation for grant applications under its Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant program. DOL will award approximately $500 million this year through the program and a total of $2 billion over the next four years.

The grants will support the development and improvement of post-secondary programs of two years or less that prepare students for successful careers in growing and emerging industries. The program will be administered by DOL in coordination with the Department of Education.

“Supporting job training and career development is a vital part of the federal government’s responsibility to the public, and I encourage every eligible Arizona institution to pursue these funds,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva. “Getting Arizona and the nation back to work has to be our number one priority until further notice, and these grants will play a vital role in making that happen.”

The grant program is authorized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’s amendments to the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, signed by President Obama on March 30, 2010, provides the funding beginning in fiscal year 2011.

Applicants must be community colleges or other two-year degree granting institutions of higher education. The grants will enable eligible institutions to expand their capacity to create new education or training programs — or improve existing ones — to meet the needs of local or regional businesses. Applications are due by April 21.

Further details are available at the DOL announcement at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-10-03.pdf.