Governor Wes Moore recently announced $7.3 million in EARN workforce grants for in-demand careers like healthcare and IT to make Maryland more competitive.
Administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, the workforce grants aim to upskill more than 3,400 workers and support over 500 businesses. This investment, the largest in the program’s history, brings Maryland’s total EARN funding to $13.7 million, benefiting over 5,500 workers.
From the press release:
“These grants empower our business owners and their employees to build up our local economies, strengthen Maryland’s workforce pipeline, and provide much-needed resources to more than 3,400 workers who are on the front lines every day, getting the work done,” said Governor Wes Moore.
The Anne Arundel County Healthcare Collaborative is one of the recipients of EARN Maryland funding. The collaborative is a coalition representing county residents, businesses, associations, local government entities, and health care organizations seeking to improve health and wellness in Anne Arundel County.
“Through the Collaborative’s work, we will help address the critical healthcare workforce shortage by bringing together a diverse range of partners including healthcare businesses, industry partners, and workforce organizations,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation Kirkland J. Murray.
Other notable grantees include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26, which will train aspiring electricians at Montgomery County, and Chesapeake College, which will offer scholarships and support for the skilled trades on the Upper Shore.
“Our diverse partnerships—encompassing the regional Workforce Investment Board, economic development offices, and local employers across Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties—exemplify the power of collaboration and will be essential to our students’ success. Together, we are creating robust pathways from education to employment, addressing industry needs while empowering our community with the skills and opportunities to thrive,” said Chesapeake College President Dr. Clifford Coppersmith.
The nationally recognized EARN program provides targeted skills training based on employer needs, helping unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers. The 46 grant awards include new and existing partnerships that focus on industry-specific needs. These workforce grants aim to build a highly skilled workforce to support Maryland’s growth in infrastructure, clean energy, and healthcare.