In February 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Education and Training Administration (ETA) awarded $40M for the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program to 11 colleges nationwide. CT State Norwalk is the lead institution for the grant-funded project called CT Statewide Healthcare Industry Pathways (CT SHIP). The total cost of CT SHIP is $6.9M. $3.4M (49%) is funded through a U.S Department of Labor – ETA grant and another $3.5M (51%) is committed through non-federal state and local resources. With CT State Norwalk as the lead, the five consortium partners include Gateway, Housatonic, Middlesex and Tunxis.
“The Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants will play an important role in helping workers to reskill as quickly as possible with industry-recognized credentials and accelerated pathways to degrees,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John Pallasch. “These grants are among the range of actions the Department is taking to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.”
Read more about the Strengthening Community College Grant
References: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20210115-1
The CT Statewide Healthcare Industry Pathways (CT SHIP) project is a 4-year SCC grant funded project (2/1/2021 – 1/31/2025). During the project period, CT SHIP capacity-building strategies will touch approximately 2,200 students in three healthcare career pathways that:
a) are experiencing high levels of employer demand;
b) incorporate a clear sequence of education coursework and/or training credentials aligned with employer-validated work readiness standards and competencies;
c) integrate academic and occupational skills training;
d) offer accelerated training opportunities that quickly produce industry-recognized credentials and employment;
e) provide openings to expand the delivery of virtual instruction and services (e.g., online learning, digital badges, simulations);
and f) offer opportunities to earn stackable credentials and advance along career pathways from entry-level occupations to higher-wage careers.
The CT SHIP will address gaps, as well as stark disparities in postsecondary credential attainment based on race/ethnicity and family income that prevent Connecticut from achieving its overarching goals of economic vitality and expanded employment opportunities. The CSCU System Office will lead efforts to scale successful strategies to all campuses of CT State Community College.