Annapolis, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced $7.3 million in workforce grants to upskill Maryland’s workforce and make Maryland more competitive in emerging healthcare, information technology, skilled trade, and hospitality industries through the Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program. The grants, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, strengthen the homegrown talent pipeline for Maryland businesses to meet increasing demand for their products and services.
“We are proud to announce the largest investment to date in the EARN Workforce Grant Program–an effort which will help over 500 businesses throughout the state,” said Gov. Moore. “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.”
For the last decade, EARN Maryland has strengthened the state’s workforce pipeline to supply businesses with a well-trained workforce and get residents into good-paying careers. Based upon employer-identified training needs, EARN grantees provide education and skills training to unemployed and underemployed Marylanders. The program also provides career advancement training for incumbent workers, leading to a more highly-skilled workforce.
“EARN grants make our economy more competitive by delivering highly-skilled workers to our key industry sectors and businesses,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Year after year, EARN grants deliver a big return on investment. I’m excited to see the impact of this year, because it is the biggest one-year allocation of EARN grants in the program’s 10-year history.”
The grants announced bring the total investment from the Moore-Miller Administration to more than $13.7 million in EARN funding, which in total will train or upskill more than 5,500 Maryland workers. The awards include a number of new partnerships as well as enhanced funding for already established and highly effective partnerships. The 46 grant awards announced during this round include more than 500 employer partners representing key industries.
EARN Maryland’s innovative sector strategies have earned national recognition as a best practice, highlighted by esteemed organizations including the National Skills Coalition and Urban Institute. The recognition underscores the program’s effectiveness, as nearly 10,000 individuals have already been placed into employment from EARN and more than 14,000 incumbent workers have benefitted from its training opportunities.
A number of the partnerships will offer career advancement in the healthcare industry, giving more workers access to this important sector and expanding equity and diversity.
“The Anne Arundel County Healthcare Collaborative is excited to be selected as a recipient of EARN Maryland funding,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation Kirkland J. Murray. “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. This important work would not be possible without the support of the Maryland Department of Labor and the EARN Maryland program.”
Grantees will deploy creative strategies that make Maryland more competitive by connecting residents to jobs, while investing in the growth of registered apprenticeships and developing a highly-skilled workforce to meet priorities around infrastructure, clean energy, and healthcare.
“The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26 and the Washington, DC National Electrical Contractors Association are thrilled to be recipients of the Maryland Department of Labor EARN Grant,” said IBEW Communications Director David Pala. “This Electrical Career Pathways program will help many aspiring electricians from local high schools in Montgomery County learn real skills and receive basic certifications while earning a paycheck, as well as invaluable on-the-job training.”
The state’s community colleges also play an important role in many of the partnerships.
“We are honored to receive EARN funding from the Maryland Department of Labor, a significant boost to our efforts in connecting Upper Shore residents with quality jobs in the skilled trades,” said Chesapeake College President Dr. Clifford Coppersmith. “These funds will enable us to provide scholarships in industries that typically lack such resources, as well as comprehensive support services to ensure our students are fully equipped for successful careers. 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.”
For more information about EARN Maryland, including information on the grants announced today, visit labor.maryland.gov/earn.
