U.S. Transportation Secretary Awards $6.7 Million in Training Grants
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Helps Provide Job Training for Transportation Related Careers in Fourteen States

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced $6.7 million in job training grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in fourteen states across the country. The grants will fund apprenticeships and training centers for underrepresented or disadvantaged people seeking careers in transportation, engineering or construction.

"Providing individuals with the job training skills they need is key to keeping our highway system up and running," said Secretary Ray LaHood. "These training programs will help ensure that the American highway system has able stewards for years to come."

The "On-the Job Training Supportive Services" (OJT/SS) grants were included in ARRA to supplement federal training programs and to support the training programs of state departments of transportation for highway construction contractors, apprentices and trainees. The OJT/SS program encourages completion of training programs and promotes training opportunities for minorities and women in skilled and semi-skilled crafts.

One successful example of the OJT/SS programs is Virginia's Wounded Veteran's Internship program which started in 2006. The program helps wounded active-duty military personnel keep job skills sharp, or develop new ones, while they recuperate.

Details of today's awardees are as follows:

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FHWA Press Room