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Next Round of DOL Technology-Based Learning Grants Should Be Sure to Fund Union Training Programs

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Submitted by Jason Pramas on Sat, 03/21/2009 - 8:02pm

In my web-trolling for this blog, I happened upon mention on a Department of Labor Grant Program called Technology-Based Learning Grants in a Reuters release of a government press release. The purpose of the grants, according to (the thankfully) ex-Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, is to "increase workers' access to skills training through the Internet, video teleconferencing and other technology-based learning media." In the 2008 cycle, the DOL gave out $10,000,000 under the program.

But funny thing, not a plug nickel of that money seems to have gone to labor unions - many of which, I do hear tell, have just these kinds of skills training programs for their members and even for non-members in some cases.

It occurs to me that now that we have a new labor-friendly Sec. of Labor in Hilda Solis, this would be just the kind of program to expand, improve ... and include some unions in the mix of recipients. Unions that, after all, help ensure decent jobs for millions of Americans.

Now the grants haven't been announced for 2009 yet, but last year's grant application process was announced on June 20th; so assuming the DOL is following the same timetable this year that leaves a good amount of time for union technology folks to get to work lobbying to be included among this year's grant recipients.

Take a look at the article linked above, and keep an eye on this DOL 2009 grants page for news of the next round of Technology-Based Leraning Grants. Labor techies that are interested should certainly contact their union's political directors to light a fire under the DOL on this kind of stuff.

I assume that's already in the works, but I thought it was a good idea to bring this one up. If any viewers end up applying for this grant (or similar ones) be sure to drop us a line here at Communicate or Die.

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