Annapolis, MD — Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor today announced more than $4.7 million in Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) grant awards to connect Marylanders with in-demand careers, provide local businesses with skilled talent, and fuel continued economic growth across the state.
The funding will enable more than 1,700 Marylanders to access training and attain credentials, and connect nearly 600 workers directly to jobs in key industries such as cybersecurity, emerging technology, skilled trades, and healthcare. Marylanders accessing training will include nearly 1,000 incumbent workers who will receive upskilling opportunities to support career progression.
“Here in Maryland, we are dedicated to building pathways to work, wages, and wealth, and investing in our workforce, so Marylanders can take advantage of a changing economy fueled by industries of the future,” said Gov Moore. “Through the EARN grant we connect thousands of people with opportunities in high growth sectors, so that hardworking families can thrive and world-class businesses can ramp up their operations right here. Investing in Maryland workers means a stronger economy, better paying jobs, and communities where no one is left behind.”
“EARN Maryland has helped nearly 2,000 employers access the skilled talent they need over the past decade, and, under the Moore-Miller Administration, has helped over 15,000 Marylanders gain skills and family-supporting jobs,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “By investing in these industry-led partnerships, we are investing in our communities and our state’s economic future.”
The Moore-Miller Administration has invested more than $35 million through the EARN program. These funds have provided upskilling opportunities for more than 6,200 Marylanders and provided an additional 4,500 Marylanders with training and job placement in high growth sectors like healthcare, IT, manufacturing, skilled trades, and hospitality. Thousands more Marylanders are currently enrolled in EARN-supported training programs. EARN Maryland delivers a proven return on investment, generating an estimated $19 in economic activity for every $1 invested.
Through industry-led partnerships, EARN Maryland delivers workforce training tailored directly to employer needs. Targeted investments in this round of funding include more than $1 million for training in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, $800,000 to support pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in the skilled trades, and $750,000 for healthcare training.
“Ardmore Enterprises is especially proud to receive EARN dollars during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, to support our training efforts,” said Lori Sedlezky, Chief Executive Officer of Ardmore Enterprises. “This investment will allow us to give direct support professionals (DSP) the practical skills, technology training, and support they need to succeed and grow in their careers. By bringing providers together to share training and resources, we are building a stronger, more skilled and sustainable DSP workforce, which strengthens the quality of services and support available to people with disabilities.”
Grant recipients in this round of funding include community colleges, local workforce development boards, and nonprofit organizations partnering with hundreds of employers across the state.
Awardees
- Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (Transportation and Logistics | Central Maryland)
- Ardmore Enterprises (Healthcare | Central Maryland)
- Asian American Center of Frederick (Healthcare | Western Maryland)
- Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (Healthcare | Central Maryland)
- Baltimore Cyber Range LLC dba BCR Cyber (Cyber/IT | Statewide)
- CannaWorkforce, Inc. (Life Sciences | Statewide)
- Cecil College (Transportation and Logistics | Susquehanna Region)
- Civic Works, Inc. (Clean Energy | Central Maryland)
- Community College of Baltimore County (Cyber/IT | Central Maryland)
- Construction Trades Workforce Initiative Company (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
- Finishing Trade Institute of Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C and Vicinities (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
- Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
- I’m Still Standing Community Development Corporation (Cyber/IT | Central Maryland)
- IBEW Local 26 NECA Labor-Management Cooperation Committee Trust Fund (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
- It Works Learning Center, Inc. (Healthcare | Central Maryland)
- Maryland MEP (Manufacturing and Cyber | Statewide)
- Maryland New Directions, Inc. (Transportation and Logistics | Central Maryland)
- Maryland Multi-Housing Association (Residential Leasing | Central Maryland)
- Montgomery College (Life Sciences | Central Maryland)
- Story Tapestries, Inc. (Childcare | Central Maryland)
- Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (Manufacturing | Southern Maryland)
- UMBC Training Centers, LLC (Cyber/IT | Statewide)
Visit the Maryland Department of Labor website for additional information about the EARN awardees, including their regions of impact across Maryland.
