EDA - Economic Development Administration

01/14/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/14/2025 04:03

U.S. Department of Commerce Awards $25 Million in Latest Installment of Good Jobs Challenge Funding to Strengthen Workforce Training Programs Across the Nation

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $25 million in Good Jobs Challengeprogram funding to eight grantees to support high-quality, locally-led workforce training programs that create a pathway for workers to be placed into good-paying jobs. This marks an expansion of the Good Jobs Challenge program, which already has trained and placed more than 12,000 American workersinto good-paying jobs. This new cohort of awards expands EDA's Good Jobs Challenge portfolio to 35 states and one territory and increases the portfolio's overall placements target to 53,000.

This new round of Good Jobs awards focuses on critical and emerging technology industries, with an emphasis on empowering workers in historically overlooked and left behind communities. Half of this round of Good Jobs Challenge awardees will focus their work in rural communities.

"The Good Jobs Challenge underscores the intent and impact of President Biden's Investing in America agenda by strengthening and empowering America's workforce, securing their future, and ensuring the United States remains globally competitive," said Secretary Raimondo. "Building off its previous success, the Good Jobs Challenge is expanding into more communities across the country with a focus on industries that will define the 21st century economy. These investments will train American workers for industries of the future, empower them with the tools they need to secure good-paying jobs, and lift up regional communities that have too often been overlooked or left behind."

Initially funded by the American Rescue Plan, the Good Jobs Challenge is cumulatively investing $525 million into 40regions across the nation. The program's industry-led partnerships are providing new opportunities and training for America's workforce to develop in-demand skills that meet the needs of today's employers and lead to good-paying jobs. The program, now concluding its second year of implementation, brings together diverse stakeholders including employers, labor unions, educational institutions, and community-based organizations to advance job training in sectors critical to America's competitiveness.

"Training a workforce that meets industry demands is a key component to growing and strengthening local and regional economies," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. "The new Good Jobs Challenge awardees will build upon the success of our first-round grantees in putting thousands of Americans to work in industries that make our country stronger, safer, and more prosperous."

Existing participants in the Good Jobs Challenge are among Americans that need the greatest support to improve their skills and earn higher wages. Black workers are represented at nearly twice their national share of the workforce and Native American or Indigenous workers are represented at three times their share of workforce. Over 40 percent of program participants held multiple jobs over the past year and making just 25 percent of the median wage for all American workers.

EDA has selected eight Good Jobs Challenge awardees for this round of funding, with award amounts to be finalized in the coming months.

With these awards, the Good Jobs Challenge now serves the following states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.

Read more about the Good Jobs Challenge at eda.gov.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.