The Department of Commerce invests in employer-driven regional workforce education and training systems that lead to quality jobs.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.  Through multiple and growing grant programs, EDA funds workforce planning, infrastructure, and training projects directly connected to the hiring and skills needs of the business community and that result in good quality jobs.

Good Jobs Challenge

EDA’s $500-million Good Jobs Challenge aims to get Americans back to work by building and strengthening systems and partnerships that bring together employers who have hiring needs with other key entities to train workers with in-demand skills that lead to good-paying jobs.  In August 2022, EDA announced 32 awardees that will train and place over 50,000 workers.  

Build Back Better Regional Challenge

The $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge provides transformational investments to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, all while embracing equitable economic growth, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. global competitiveness.

STEM Talent Challenge

The STEM Talent Challenge builds training systems that strengthen regional innovation economies. It annually awards $2 million in grants to organizations that create and implement talent development pipelines that fulfill the needs of their region’s innovative companies.

Investing in America’s Communities

Through the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, EDA awards competitive grants for technical, planning, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and public works and infrastructure projects aimed at prioritizing capacity-building projects that support regional workforce systems. Competitive grant applications meet at least one of EDA’s Investment Priorities, which include workforce development.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Internet for All Initiative will bring high-speed internet to everyone in America. NTIA is deploying more than $48 billion for infrastructure deployment, skills training, and access to technologies essential for Americans to connect with their communities, their democracy, and one another.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

The BEAD program will provide more than $42 billion in grants to states and territories to build high-speed internet infrastructure where needed, support job training, provide affordable equipment, and drive partnerships to get everyone online. It will create over 100,000 t good network construction and information technology jobs for those who live in the communities where the infrastructure will be built. The BEAD program also prioritizes creating opportunities for women and other historically marginalized groups to access the skills and training they need to benefit from the good jobs created by this program.

Digital Equity Act Programs

The three Digital Equity Act programs provide nearly $3 billion in grant funds to promote digital inclusion and equity to ensure that all Americans have the skills, technology, and capacity to get a digitally intensive job and to fully participate in our increasingly digital society. The program prioritizes the following populations: individuals living in households earning at or below 150% of the poverty line; veterans; aging individuals; incarcerated individuals; individuals with a language barrier; individuals with disabilities; individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and individuals who primarily reside in a rural area.   

Broadband Grant Programs

NTIA is reviewing and awarding grants for the Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP), the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), and the Connecting Minorities Communities Pilot Program (CMC).  Applicants must submit a description of their workforce plans and practices as part of their proposed infrastructure deployment projects.  The TBCP and CMC programs fund digital skills training and technology workforce programs in historically underrepresented communities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions.