Foxx announces $9.5 million in grants for workforce development

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently announced $9.5 million in grants have been given to fund 19 projects within 13 states to  train the next generation of skilled workers and finance long-term careers within the public transportation industry.

“The public transit industry offers good-paying careers that can lift Americans into the middle class or help them stay there, and more of these careers will be available in the future,” Foxx said. “These grants will help us overcome skills gaps and provide more young people with the training, apprenticeships, and educational opportunities they need to gain entry into these careers.”

The grants are thanks to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which is a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and its Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development program.

“The demand for skilled transit workers will continue to grow as new projects are planned, built and come on line and as ridership continues to expand in cities like Los Angeles and other communities across the country,” Therese McMillan, FTA's acting administrator, said. “And we are committed to making careers in transit a real ladder to opportunity by helping provide education and financial security, especially for those in disadvantaged communities.”