U.S. Dept. of Labor awards $4.9 million for job training in Santa Ana

Community: THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AWARDS THE SANTA ANA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD $4.9 MILLION TO FUND ITS BRIDGE ENGINEERING PROGRAM

SANTA ANA, CA (February 9, 2012) – In May 2011, the Department of Labor announced the availability of approximately $240 million in funds for H-1B Technical Skills Training Grants program. The grant program is designed to provide education, training, and job placement assistance for U.S. residents, in industries where labor shortages exist.

Recently, the Department of Labor awarded the City of Santa Ana, $4,997,479 to fund its Bridge Engineering Program. The intent of the program is to provide academic and peer support to pre-engineering students as they work their way to an engineering degree. The program will recruit students from local high school STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) programs, Santa Ana College, and long term unemployed individuals. Participants will be guided through a four-year engineering program with intensive academic support and placed in On-The-Job Training paid internships with Santa Ana employers and other local companies.

At Monday’s city council meeting, the City Council unanimously authorized the City Manager and the Clerk of the Council to execute agreements with the following educational institutions:

• Santa Ana College – $784,450
• Saddleback College – $763,854
• University of California Irvine – $226,500
• California State University Fullerton – $141,380
• Cañada College – $67,573
• Growth Sector – $951,390
• Rapid Tech – $316,600
• OCTANe – $30,000

The project will establish a structure at both the community college and university levels that will increase the participation of underrepresented minorities and women in engineering. The project will serve 290 people over a four-year period, starting November 2011 to November 2015.

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Sent by City of Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center Plaza, 8th Floor/ P.O. Box 1988, Santa Ana, CA 92702