Hoyer Tours Facilities, Participates in Roundtable on Workforce Development and Job Training
WALDORF, MD – This afternoon, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) toured the College of Southern Maryland's Center for Trades and Energy Training, which is supported by a partnership of local companies, labor organizations and the U.S. Department of Labor. The Center is home to CSM's non-credit Career Starters trades and apprenticeship programs, and advanced skills training. Following a tour of labs for electrical, HVAC, welding and carpentry students, Hoyer participated in a roundtable discussion with students and employers on the importance of the program to Southern Maryland.
"I was pleased to hear from students, employers, and others about their experience with the College of Southern Maryland's Center for Trades and Energy Training, and how this program has benefitted students entering the workforce and employers seeking qualified candidates for employment," stated Congressman Hoyer. "Our local workforce development programs are successful at providing opportunities for our community – both for workers to develop new skills and for employers who will rely on a skilled workforce to be successful in a competitive market. We need to invest in job growth here in Maryland today in order to drive a sustainable economic recovery for our state and our nation."
The College of Southern Maryland's Center for Trades and Energy Training officially opened in September 2009, after receiving a $1 million grant from the Department of Labor. They are currently in their second full year of accepting students. The goals for the program include increasing applicants for energy-related construction jobs, building regional capacity to train and sustain a skilled workforce, and facilitate sustainability of all energy- and construction-related programs.
According to the College of Southern Maryland's 2008 proposal to the Department of Energy, the energy/construction sector in Southern Maryland will require additional workers in the near future: "Based upon energy company timetables, Southern Maryland projects it will need 4,300 skilled trades workers for energy facility/utility construction through 2013, plus more than 300 permanent facility/utility workers. Those companies are competing for employees at various military installations including PAX, Indian Head, and Andrews as well as other high-visibility employers."
In an effort to support the type of success this program is seeing, Democrats introduced the "Make It In America" plan, an important initiative to create jobs and grow the economy by investing in education, innovation, and creating the conditions for businesses to launch and expand.
"Democrats' Make It In America plan aims to bridge the skills gap by investing in education and training and facilitating public-private partnerships, such as that which we have seen here at CSM," Hoyer continued. "In order to put more Americans back to work and keep our nation competitive, we must take these steps so Americans who are looking for work can develop the skills they need to get a job, and companies will be able to grow and expand as they hire trained workers."
To learn more about the Make It In America plan, click here.