Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced Thursday during a conference call with reporters more than $183 million in grants was awarded to 43 public-private partnerships serving 28 states through the second round of funding under the H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant Competition. The grants will provide education, training and job placement assistance related to high-growth fields in which employers are currently using the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program to hire foreign workers. The funds gathered from the H-1B program are intended to be used to raise the technical skill levels of American workers and, over time, help businesses reduce their need to use the H-1B program.

"The federal grant awards announced today will provide U.S. workers with the training they need to succeed in the high tech, high-growth jobs of the future," said Secretary Solis. "Developing a strong and vibrant workforce that fits the needs of American businesses is critical to forming an America built to last."

The Health Career and Regional Employment (HealthCARE) Project will support On-the-Job Training in healthcare career pathway occupations, such as medical and health services managers, registered nurses, occupational therapists, healthcare practitioners, and other positions. The HealthCARE Project will supply healthcare industry employers with the highly skilled and competent workforce needed to fill current and anticipated job openings.

"I am thrilled that the Department of Labor has chosen the NWWIB as a grant recipient. This is an exciting opportunity for the three workforce development board partners to further provide our regional healthcare partners and businesses with skilled and in-demand workers," said NWWIB, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, Mari Kay-Nabozny. "We worked hard to develop a grant application that would truly impact the healthcare industry and regional workforce and we are pleased that the Department of Labor recognized our innovative On-the-Job Training Program and partnership."

Last October, the Labor Department awarded more than $159 million to 36 grantees in the first round of the competition. Between the two rounds of grants, more than $163 million has been designated to provide On-the-Job Training, allowing participants to learn new skills while earning a regular paycheck. More than $200 million has been designated for grantees that serve participants who have been identified as long-term unemployed. Along with healthcare, the grants also represent significant investments in fields such as information technology and advanced manufacturing.