Oklahoma City Community College received an historic grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The $1.72 million grant will fund the college�s new program titled Building a Clinical Research Track in the Health Careers Ladder.
The grant allows one-of-a-kind degrees and certificates in clinical research that will serve as a national model for this type of instruction. OCCC is also partnering with the Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board which has offered a tuition match for every student who enrolls in the program.
�This program creates a pipeline of thousands of students able to fill much needed jobs in the areas of clinical research and clinical trials,� said Sonya Williams, Chair of OCCC�s Division of Science and Mathematics. �Those completing the new program will immediately be available to work in these fields.�
OCCC is one of 69 community colleges in 36 states to receive the grant under the President�s Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative.
Introduced by President Bush in his 2004 State of the Union address, Community-Based Job Training Grants improve the ability of community colleges to provide their region�s workers with the skills needed to enter growing industries.
Locally, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, United Health and Integris Health all have vacancies in clinical research positions.
�Our goal is to take this opportunity to Oklahoma high school and middle school students and motivate them to look at the possibility of a career in these fields,� Williams said.
�Community colleges are in a unique position to prepare local workers for careers in high-growth industries,� said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. �The $125 million awarded will expand enrollment in education and training programs and provide more workers with the skills they need to succeed.�
For more information on the President�s Community-Based Job Training Grants, visit www.doleta.gov/business/Community-BasedJobTrainingGrants.cfm.
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