Sen. Reid: WNC and two other college grants designed to provide innovative training
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Fri, 09/20/2013 - 6:31am
With news this week that Western Nevada College is the recipient of a $1.5 million grant, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, announced two other grants for area colleges, Truckee Meadows Community College and Great Basin College.
The grants are part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program, which was authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus bill. WNC's portion of the grant is $1,567,530. TMCC received a grant of $ 3,201,968 and Great Basin College, $4,009,331.
“Education is the key to success,” said Reid in a Friday news statement. “These funds will help Nevadans, who attend these three schools, receive the innovative training they need to be more competitive in higher paying job sectors like advanced manufacturing, science, technology, engineering and math. These are the types of private sector jobs that will help build a stronger, vibrant middle class. This is what we need to be investing more in to continue down the path of full economic recovery. I was glad to support this effort and encouraged the Department of Labor to select this strong proposal from Nevada community colleges.”
At WNC, the college’s applied technology programs strongly promote skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care, as well as science, technology, engineering and math careers through partnerships between training providers and local employers.
Linda Devon, who manages the college’s TAACCCT funding, said the funding will allow WNC to continue to provide training which meets the needs of both employers and students. “It’s a win-win for the local communities,” she said.
David Steiger, WNC director of Economic Development, said this week that the grant will allow Western Nevada College "to enhance and expand our very successful accelerated technical programs to further meet the skills needs of our industrial community." Those programs offer intensive learning and hands-on skill development that leads to jobs in the manufacturing sector, helping rebuild Nevada’s middle class, he said.
“Nevada will recover from this recession,” said WNC President Carol Lucey this week. “But that recovery has already proven to be tougher and slower than anyone projected.”
Dr. Lucey said, “It is no secret that for decades, people came here for jobs which often did not require higher skills. The governor came into office with a mission to diversify our economy into stronger manufacturing, technology, and high-end services.” She said that both existing employers and those companies now being recruited to Nevada need a workforce with higher and different skills.
“This college is focused on getting our people to reach nationally portable, industry recognized certifications,” she said, with a goal “to put Nevadans to work in the jobs of our future.”
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