| BALTIMORE, MD Wed, Jul 23, 2008 Reinforcing his commitment to growing and educating Maryland’s workforce, Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that the State has approved a $1 million grant to help establish a Career and Technology Training Center (CTTC) in Garrett County. The grant, funded through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s MEDAAF program, will be used in conjunction with $500,000 in Garrett County funds to offset the cost of developing the center in a county owned facility in the Central Garrett Industrial Park in Accident.
“This investment is an example of how we are aligning our strengths with regional economic and workforce development priorities,” said Governor O’Malley. “It is essential to our continued growth that we provide the educational resources to not only meet the expanding needs of the business community, but also improve the local skill base and offer students who may not choose to attend college the opportunity to gain trade skills that will lead to more challenging and rewarding employment opportunities.”
The training center, which is expected to be completed by December 2010, will provide career training skills to community college students, new high school graduates and interested adults in specialty trades such as welding, machining, metal fabrication, HVAC, masonry, carpentry, CAD/CAM, metal finishing/painting and robotics.
“The Career and Technology Training Center will allow new high school graduates who elect not to go on to college to learn a skill or trade that will enable them to enjoy a better standard of living and quality of life,” said Dennis G. Glotfelty, chairman of the Garrett County Board of Commissioners. “This project, along with the Garrett County Scholarship program, shows the commitment by the county in giving our young people the tools they need to have a meaningful and successful career.”
Establishing the training center will allow Garrett County to implement Phase 2 of a scholarship program that provides up to two years of tuition free education at Garrett College to every graduating high school senior (and equivalents). Under this phase of the program, the county would cover the cost of tuition for those graduating seniors who prefer to learn trade skills at the CTTC.
About DBED:
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit www.choosemaryland.org.
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