U.S. Labor Dept. Unveils $30M Grants for High-Demand Job Training

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced up to $30 million in grants aimed at equipping American workers with the skills needed for high-demand and emerging industries.

The initiative, administered through the department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is designed to help states and employers address pressing workforce gaps while aligning with national economic priorities.

The program will operate on an outcome-based reimbursement model, providing funds to employers who deliver training in sectors identified under President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14278 on skilled trade jobs, Executive Order 14629 on maritime dominance, and the administration’s AI Action Plan.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said the funding reflects the President’s “Make America Skilled Again” agenda, which seeks to give states the resources and flexibility to meet their workforce demands.

“These grants will ensure employers drive workforce training that is critical for their business needs, while also upskilling workers and building a strong talent pipeline,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “They will help fill the good-paying, in-demand jobs created by this Administration’s push to restore America’s manufacturing leadership and global dominance in AI.”

Grant Details

The Labor Department will award up to $8 million per grant to State Workforce Agencies, which will establish and manage training funds encouraging businesses to create and expand innovative training programs.

Priority industries include artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, nuclear energy, domestic mineral production, and information technology.

In addition, at least $5 million will be allocated specifically to developing a skilled workforce in the shipbuilding industry.

The department emphasized that training programs will target both new hires and experienced workers, ensuring they can acquire critical skills to adapt to evolving industry needs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, high-skilled sectors such as nursing, specialized healthcare, and science face growing shortages, alongside skilled trades like electricians, machinists, and plumbers.