Virginia State University October 1, 2014 Department of Labor awards VSU $3.25 million for wireless workforce training The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) has awarded Virginia State University (VSU) a $3.25 million grant to help develop a training program for the wireless workforce of the future, focused on educating veterans, displaced workers and others for careers in building and maintaining America's wireless networks. The grant will extend through 2018 and is aimed at developing technicians for the wireless industry. The Virginia State University program will be one of only two in the United States. Awarded through DoL's Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative, the grant will allow VSU and its academic partner Richard Bland College, to strengthen a new program aimed at building a network of colleges to train students for high-wage, high-skilled careers in wireless infrastructure. VSU developed the program with support from the Professional Communications Industry Association (PCIA), which will assist in extending the program with a national credentialing framework. The partnership was first introduced to VSU by alumnus Dr. Ronald Johnson. Dr. Johnson, who works closely with the telecommunications industry, said "We believe this is the the beginning of VSU's visionary approach to becoming a valuable partner with PCIA and the telecommunication industry." VSU, along with PCIA and its member companies, will partner with the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs to spearhead the veterans job training program known as Warriors4Wireless. "VSU is honored that the Department of Labor has entrusted us with federal assistance to develop this wireless infrastructure career program," said VSU President Keith T. Miller. "The market demand for wireless network workers remains strong in our region and throughout the country. Developing a well-trained and educated workforce is a foundational pillar of VSU's education platform. This grant will help VSU stay at the forefront of helping to build Virginia's economic and technological future by adding this new dimension to its curriculum offerings." The grants provide eligible institutions of higher education with funds to partner with employers to expand and improve their ability to deliver education and career training programs to help job seekers acquire the necessary skills for in-demand jobs in industries like information technology, health care, energy and advanced manufacturing. "The American educational system has not kept pace with the fast growth of the wireless industry. This grant is part of our effort to jumpstart the academic community, with VSU in the lead, to develop training programs and curricula that will produce graduates that have the precise preparation we need to meet our burgeoning workforce needs," said PCIA CEO and President Jonathan Adelstein. "This will give veterans and displaced workers have opportunities to be trained, certified, and employed in wireless infrastructure." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!