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Landrieu Announces $2.4M Job Training Grant for BPCC
[September 29, 2014]

Landrieu Announces $2.4M Job Training Grant for BPCC


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The office of Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced a $2.4 million job training grant to Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), which will be used to partner with leading IT and cybersecurity employers to develop career training programs that will give students a shot at high-quality, high-paying jobs in the technology, cybersecurity and energy industries.



The funding is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program, which is co-administered by the Department of Labor and Department of Education.

"As technology rapidly evolves, we must continue teaching students the necessary skills to fill those jobs and give them a shot at success--no matter where they come from," said Sen. Landrieu. "The TAACCCT program allows community colleges in Louisiana to expand their career development curriculums and partner with local industry leaders like IBM, CenturyLink and the Cyber Innovation Center to give students a robust learning experience and prepare them for demanding jobs in the technology and cybersecurity sectors. We must continue to invest in partnerships like these to train the next generation of workers in Louisiana." "Louisiana is on the cusp of extraordinary economic growth. Key to this growth is our ability to train and produce skilled workers in high demand, high wage fields for our industry partners," said Dr. Monty Sullivan, President of Louisiana's Community and Technical Colleges. "Today's TAACCCT grant announcement couldn't have come at a more opportune time, as Louisiana's community and technical colleges work daily to meet the needs of industry and our citizens. Congratulations to Bossier Parish Community College. We are excited about this investment in the people of Louisiana." "Manufacturing in the 21st Century involves greater technology and demands a higher skilled workforce than ever before. This grant will enable the faculty and leadership in our engineering technologies programs to take our manufacturing skills development efforts to a world class level," said Dr. Jim Henderson, Chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College.


Building on the strategies advanced in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, these types of job-driven training partnerships were also identified in the Vice President's job-driven training report released in July as an important way to successfully prepare and place workers in jobs that pay a middle class wage.

During the last several years, Sen. Landrieu has worked to secure funding and policies necessary to expand the cybersecurity workforce in Louisiana. Earlier this year, she secured $757 million for cybersecurity programs as part of the Senate bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2015. This significant level of funding will help grow Louisiana's I-20 Tech Corridor, create cybersecurity jobs and help keep the nation safe from ever-increasing cyber threats. The funding also includes $15.8 million for cybersecurity education programs like the one the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) in Bossier City, La., which has been operating as an integral part in the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to develop a future skilled workforce.

TNS30VitinMar-140930-4879066 30VitinMar (c) 2014 Targeted News Service

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