CARSON CITY — Western Nevada College students will have more opportunities to prepare for skilled technical jobs in the coming years, following Wednesday's announcement of a $1,567,530 grant workforce training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. It is part of $474.5 million in grants to community colleges and universities around the country for the development and expansion of innovative training programs.
Western Nevada College’s grant is part of an $8,778,829 award made to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, Great Basin College, and Truckee Meadows Community College, as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program.
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, “The grant will allow us 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. “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.”