Drake State Community and Technical College has been awarded a substantial grant of $1,514,520 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s recent Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants. This funding marks a significant achievement for the institution and establishes Drake State as the first college in Alabama to receive such support.
The grant is part of a broader initiative involving a $65 million investment distributed among 18 colleges across 14 states. The initiative aims to enhance affordable, high-quality workforce training programs in vital industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing. Drake State plans to use this financial boost to support its new Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education program. The program aims to cultivate a robust pipeline of skilled maintenance technicians that manufacturers in the Huntsville area need.
How The Grant Will Boost FAME
Dr. Patricia Sims, president of Drake State, expressed her enthusiasm for the grant. “This grant underscores Drake State’s leadership in delivering cutting-edge training programs that transform lives and strengthen the North Alabama region,” she said. “With this funding, we will expand our impact, preparing more students for rewarding careers while supporting the workforce demands of our industry partners.”
The FAME program, specifically tailored for the Huntsville Tech chapter, seeks to empower students with the necessary skills to excel in high-demand sectors. In doing so, it also aims to satisfy the increasing workforce needs of local industries, a crucial effort in a region noted for its burgeoning manufacturing ecosystem.
The Strengthening Community Colleges initiative aims to equip institutions like Drake State with the resources to enhance career pathway programs and promote equitable outcomes for underrepresented populations. The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration administers this grant.
Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su underscored the significance of these programs, stating, “The Biden-Harris administration is investing in training programs that end in a job, rather than a job search. Our Strengthening Community Colleges grantees run programs that help lift whole communities by equipping workers with the skills they need right now while strengthening workforce infrastructure.”
Since its inception, the Strengthening Community Colleges initiative has made notable strides. It has invested $265 million in 207 colleges in 35 states to address pressing workforce priorities within communities nationwide.
This article sources information from Drake State Community & Technical Colleg.
