The White House and the Labor Department have unveiled a $100 million grant competition as part of the TechHire initiative that President Barack Obama launched in March in an effort to improve the U.S. workforce’s technical skills and fill technology jobs.DOL will dole out approximately $50 million in funds as part of the competition for up to 40 grantees that will work to support individuals ages 17 to 29 who face training and employment difficulties, the White House said Tuesday.
Grant recipients will work to establish partnership efforts among employers, colleges and labor groups in order to help the youth gain access to training and help them secure jobs in information technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Fourteen states and cities have participated in the TechHire program since its launch.
Obama expects the initiative to reach at least 40 cities and states by the end of this year.
