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Maryland Community College Consortium Secures Nearly $15 Million Department of Labor Workforce Training Grant(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ANNAPOLIS, Md., Sept. 29 -- Gov. Martin O'Malley, D-Md., issued the following news release: U.S. Department of Labor officials announced that Maryland was among the awardees of the latest round of grants as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative (TAACCCT). Thanks to bipartisan support from Maryland's Congressional delegation and the State's unique position at the forefront of cyber security development and innovation, the application from Maryland's Cyber Technology Pathways Across Maryland Consortium (C-PAM) secured nearly $15 million to help build out the program and help create more pathways to jobs in Maryland's rapidly-growing cyber industry. "There is no progress without a job, and jobs-focused investments like the Community College and Career training initiative help drive our efforts to achieve our strategic goal of increasing skills training by 20 percent by 2018," said Gov. O'Malley. "With the support of our dynamic Congressional delegation and innovative partnerships like C-PAM leading the way, we will continue to create family-sustaining jobs for more Marylanders, and solidify our State's position as the global epicenter for cyber security." "I want to congratulate Montgomery College and C-PAM on receiving this federal grant, which will allow them to continue creating additional job and training opportunities for Marylanders in our thriving cyber security industry," said Lt. Governor Brown. "Career and Technology Education programs like this one are an integral part of creating a stronger, more diverse workforce. Thanks to the support of Maryland's Congressional Delegation and innovative partnerships like C-PAM, we are continuing to grow our economy and create a more promising future for our state." Led by Montgomery College, C-PAM boasts partnerships with over 40 cyber employers, including military contractors and medical facilities, and seeks to link low-cost training and education to more opportunities to fill and create jobs in Maryland's nation-leading cyber security sector. The initiative in Maryland targets veterans, the unemployed and underemployed, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) workers, and lower-skilled adult workers by providing education and certificates at reduced costs to fit the needs of both workers and employers urgently seeking skilled labor for their growing businesses. C-PAM received bipartisan support from Maryland's Congressional Delegation for its application. That support highlighted the consortium's preexisting structure and strategic focus on meeting the needs of employers while also training the next cadre of skilled workers to confront new and emerging data challenges on the nation's digital landscape. "Maryland is the global epicenter of cyber security, developing the cyber workforce of today to fill cyber jobs that are available now," Senator Mikulski said. "I went to bat for Maryland's community colleges along with Team Maryland to secure this federal funding as a down-payment for our middle class. It will help grow our cybersecurity workforce, supporting jobs today and jobs tomorrow. Through cyber education, innovation and hands-on training, we will prepare Maryland students to be our first line of defense against cyber-attacks, making our nation safer and Maryland's economy stronger." "Maryland is at the epicenter of cyber technology innovation. I am proud of our network of community colleges that are an integral part of training students in the fields that are in-demand right now. Federal investment in inventive programs like C-PAM increase the value of a two-year degree while strengthening our economy," said Senator Cardin. "Team Maryland continues to work closely with our state partners to create jobs and improve the educational opportunities for our workforce." "I'm pleased Maryland's Cyber Technology Pathways Across Maryland Consortium (C-PAM), which includes the College of Southern Maryland in the Fifth District, has received this important funding to provide Maryland workers with the skills training needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow while ensuring Maryland remains at the forefront of cyber-security," stated Rep. Hoyer (MD-05). "I was proud to support the consortium's application, which was strengthened by collaborative partnerships with nearly 40 outside employers, and I will continue to work with the Maryland Congressional Delegation to ensure investments in workforce development continue to be made here in Maryland." "I am very pleased at the award of this grant to C-PAM," said Rep. Cummings (MD-07). "I am proud that these institutions will continue to provide high quality cyber education to help Marylanders achieve their educational and career aspirations." "Cyber security presents a tremendous challenge to our country, but also a great opportunity for the State of Maryland in the form of jobs," Rep. Ruppersberger (MD-02) said. "This federal grant will enable our world-class community colleges to train the next generation of cyber warriors while helping Marylanders - especially veterans, the unemployed and lower-skilled adults - provide for their families." Maryland is already a recognized national leader when it comes to cyber security. This grant, as part of the Department of Labor's Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative, is welcome news to build on that strong reputation and expand cyber security training in community colleges throughout Maryland. I thank all of our stakeholders for once again working together to bring additional opportunities to Maryland," Rep. Edwards (MD-04) commented. "With cyberattacks posing one of the most significant threats faced by our nation today, Maryland is leading the effort to protect critical cyber infrastructure," said Rep. Sarbanes (MD-03). "This important grant from the U.S. Department of Labor will strengthen Maryland's cybersecurity workforce and create new and exciting career opportunities for Marylanders in one of America's fastest-growing industries." "It's a great honor to congratulate the Maryland Community College Consortium on receiving this workforce training grant for cybersecurity skills training. Maryland today has become a leader in cybersecurity and this grant will help you train the next generation of specialists in our nation's fight against cyber-attacks. As our nation continues to recover from the recent recession, our investment in students and workers is critical to our nation's ability to compete in the global economy. If want to strengthen our national defense, protect our businesses and put Americans back to work, investing in cyber security and education has to be a top priority," said Rep. Delaney (MD-06). The O'Malley-Brown Administration continues to do the things that work to accelerate innovation and create jobs. For three years in a row, Maryland has been named the number one state in the nation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and in 2014 the Chamber also named Maryland #1 for STEM job concentration. Over the last seven years, the O'Malley-Brown Administration has invested $84 million through InvestMaryland and the Maryland Venture Fund and $7 million in tax credits to incentivize and support cyber firms in Maryland. Recognizing the growing need for skills training in the wake of the Great Recession, the O'Malley-Brown Administration set a goal to re-train adult and low-skilled workers and increase the number of Marylanders receiving skills-training by 20 percent by the end of 2018. Working towards that goal, over 195,000 Marylanders received workforce services last year through the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation's One-Stop Career System, up from 126,000 in FY07. Record education investments through programs like the O'Malley-Brown Administration's Early College Innovation Fund have also worked to drive up the number of Maryland students completing Career and Technical Education programs with industry certification by 48% since FY09. TNS MkTanz140930-30FurigayJane-4879430 30FurigayJane (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |