A $2.38 million federal grant will help nine Maryland colleges and universities strengthen workforce training and connect rural students with internships and employment opportunities in high-demand fields.
As covered in a Baltimore Sun article, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) announced the Maryland Rural Pathways to Prosperity Network, which aims to serve 1,000 students through career advising and job training. The program will focus on in-demand careers such as aerospace, cybersecurity, education, health care, high-tech agriculture, and quantum technology.
Participating institutions will each receive $25,000 annually for four years to support workforce training and employer engagement. Additional funding will support program operations, curriculum development, and tracking employment outcomes and wage growth through the Maryland Longitudinal Data System.
The nine participating institutions are Allegany College of Maryland, Carroll Community College, Cecil College, College of Southern Maryland, Garrett College, Harford Community College, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Wor-Wic Community College.
By strengthening connections between higher education, employers, and hands-on training, the program aims to help rural Maryland residents access rewarding careers while supporting local workforce needs.
