Alexander Acosta, the U.S. Secretary of Labor, visited El Centro College in Dallas on Tuesday, where he announced new federal grant money for the Dallas County Community College District that will go toward funding health care apprenticeships for students.
Secretary Acosta said the Labor Department's $12 million dollar grant for the district will mean more marketable job applicants for an American workforce with many openings.
"We have 7.4 million open jobs," Acosta said. "And we need opportunities for individuals to acquire the skills to fill those jobs, and that's why we're here."
The grant, in partnership with health care companies in the DFW region, will give students real world experience on everything from radiology to nursing. And, hopefully, a higher salary as a result.
Dallas County Community College schools won't be the only ones to benefit. Acosta said the grant is part of more than $180 million dollars the Labor Department is awarding to apprenticeship programs at schools across the country, including Houston's San Jacinto Community College.
