The Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund Grant Program by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) provides funding to strengthen workforce skills through partnerships between State Workforce Agencies and eligible employers in high-growth and emerging industries.
The programme supports employers seeking to train current employees and newly hired workers in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, information technology, clean energy, healthcare and skilled trades.
Programme Overview
Programme: Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund Grant Program
Organisation: U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration
Funding Mechanism: Workforce training grants
Authorised Under:
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Section 169(c)
- American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) Section 414(c)
Total Recent Funding Awarded: More than $86 million
Number of States Funded: 14 states
Target Beneficiaries:
- Employers
- Current employees
- Newly hired workers
- State workforce agencies
About the Training Fund
The Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund helps address workforce shortages by supporting partnerships between:
- State Workforce Agencies
- Employers
- Industry sectors with growing labour demand
The programme provides resources for skills development aligned with employer needs.
Participating employers can apply for outcome-based partial reimbursement of actual training costs per employee.
Priority Training Areas
The programme focuses on industries experiencing rapid growth and workforce demand.
Supported sectors include:
Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Training opportunities support occupations involved in:
- Artificial intelligence infrastructure
- Information technology
- Digital infrastructure
- Data-related technologies
Advanced Manufacturing
Funding supports workforce development in:
- Modern manufacturing
- Industrial technologies
- Production systems
- Skilled technical occupations
Skilled Trades
Priority occupations include:
- Shipbuilding
- Construction
- Industrial trades
Energy and Infrastructure
Supported areas include:
- Nuclear energy
- Domestic mineral production
- Energy technologies
Healthcare and Other Emerging Industries
Some grants support:
- Healthcare workforce development
- Biotechnology
- Finance and insurance
- Tourism-related industries
Grant Funding Recipients
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded grants to 14 state workforce agencies.
| State | Key Industries Supported | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Advanced Manufacturing | $5,000,000 |
| Connecticut | Manufacturing, Construction, Logistics, Healthcare, IT, Shipbuilding | $8,000,000 |
| Iowa | Advanced Manufacturing | $4,682,663 |
| Louisiana | Construction, Industrial Trades, Manufacturing, AI Infrastructure | $7,000,000 |
| Maine | Manufacturing, Aerospace, Defense, Shipbuilding | $7,999,920 |
| Michigan | Shipbuilding | $8,000,000 |
| Mississippi | Shipbuilding | $5,705,600 |
| Oklahoma | Aerospace, Defense, Advanced Manufacturing, AI Infrastructure | $5,999,255 |
| Idaho | Manufacturing, Minerals, Nuclear Energy | $8,000,000 |
| Georgia | Manufacturing, Construction, Energy | $5,000,000 |
| Tennessee | Manufacturing, AI, Nuclear Energy, Technology Infrastructure | $5,000,000 |
| Texas | AI, Manufacturing, Aerospace, IT, Semiconductor, Energy and more | $5,399,992 |
| Wisconsin | Advanced Manufacturing and Generative AI | $7,330,022 |
| Wyoming | Construction, Manufacturing, Nuclear Energy, IT, Healthcare and Tourism | $3,000,000 |
Eligible Training Areas
Supported training may include skills development related to:
- Artificial intelligence
- Information technology
- Data infrastructure
- Manufacturing technology
- Supply chain and logistics
- Engineering-related occupations
- Skilled trades
- Energy sectors
How the Funding Works
The programme allows participating employers to receive support through:
- Partial reimbursement of training costs
- Employee skills development programmes
- Industry-aligned workforce training initiatives
The goal is to help businesses build a stronger workforce while improving access to high-demand career opportunities.
Career Opportunities Created
Workers trained through supported programmes may gain skills for careers such as:
- AI Infrastructure Technician
- IT Specialist
- Data Technology Professional
- Advanced Manufacturing Technician
- Industrial Engineer
- Logistics Specialist
- Construction Specialist
- Energy Technician
- Healthcare Professional
Who Benefits From the Programme?
Employers
Companies can use the programme to:
- Train existing workers
- Develop new employees
- Address skill shortages
- Improve workforce competitiveness
Workers
Employees and new hires benefit through:
- Industry-recognised skills training
- Access to emerging career pathways
- Improved employment opportunities
Key Focus Areas for 2026 and Beyond
The programme reflects U.S. workforce priorities around:
- Artificial intelligence growth
- Domestic manufacturing expansion
- Technology infrastructure
- Skilled trade development
- Energy security
- Supply chain resilience
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