From August 03, 2022 post.
Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant to United Way of Central Iowa to develop Central Iowa HealthWorks, a healthcare workforce training program.
This program will create new pathways to high-demand healthcare positions by partnering the leading healthcare employers in the region with community organizations and educational institutions to develop systems and training to support workers. The program will offer tailored skills and support services to ensure all participants can overcome barriers to employment.
“I have heard every day since I entered office that we need more healthcare workers in Iowa. I am so pleased to see money I voted to secure in the American Rescue Plan being used to help United Way of Central Iowa develop Central Iowa Healthworks so they can train folks with the skills they need to obtain a good-paying job in the healthcare industry,” said Congresswoman Cindy Axne (IA-03). “This will help Iowans get good jobs and ensure local healthcare providers have the staff they need to expand service opportunities for folks across Iowa.”
“We are honored to be awarded this highly-competitive Federal grant and continue the amazing work of Central Iowa HealthWorks and its partners,” said Mary Sellers, President of United Way of Central Iowa. “There is a significant need for healthcare workers in our community, and this program will provide a powerful pipeline of diverse talent, while also helping central Iowans get the training and experience they need to launch a career in the industry.”
“President Biden is committed to expanding career opportunities for more Americans to secure good-paying jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will create healthcare workforce training programs for Central Iowa, providing quality, demand driven training for workers and helping to grow the talent pipeline for the healthcare industry.”
“The Good Jobs Challenge is bringing together diverse partners and local leaders to advance workforce training programs across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “Central Iowa HealthWorks will provide workers with the skills and support to obtain good-paying jobs with a path towards advancement, while supporting the critical healthcare industry and developing a stronger, regional economy.”
This grant is funded through the American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge. The program awarded grants to 32 worker-centered, industry-led workforce training partnerships across the country. The $500 million program is expanding opportunities for more Americans to access and secure good-paying jobs by investing in innovative approaches to advance worker-centered, industry-led workforce training partnerships.
The 32 awardee projects were selected from a competitive pool of 509 applicants. By partnering with stakeholders such as labor unions, community colleges and industry, these projects will solve for local talent needs, increase the supply of trained workers and help workers secure jobs in 15 key industries that are essential to U.S. supply chains, global competitiveness, and regional development. Through a holistic, integrated partnership approach, these projects will provide tangible opportunities and security for American workers, focusing on serving and supporting a broad range of underserved communities and connecting workers with the training, skills, and support services needed to successfully secure a good job. For more information on the grantees, please visit our fact sheet. (PDF)
The Good Jobs Challenge is part of a suite of American Rescue Plan programs developed by EDA to equitably distribute its $3 billion allocation to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build a better America by accelerating economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be more resilient to future economic shocks.
Original source can be found here
