Governor Moore Announces $24 Million Federal Investment in Training to Prepare Marylanders for Careers in Transportation

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 21, 2024) – Governor Wes Moore today announced the launch of the Road to Careers grant program, a multi-year $24 million federal investment to prepare workers for skilled careers in Maryland’s transportation and construction sectors. Leveraging federal transportation funding, the program will provide workforce development grants to make Maryland more competitive by training new workers in transportation construction trades.

“Making this Maryland’s decade means building out a workforce that can compete for the jobs of today – and help us win the fights of tomorrow,” said Gov. Moore. “Our Administration’s innovative strategy to bring new workers into the construction trades will help more Marylanders receive the training they need to access work, wages, and wealth.”

The Road to Careers grant program represents one of the largest commitments to transportation-related workforce development in the country and is made possible through a close partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor, the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration. Grants will fund workforce training and support services, creating a new generation of workers to build the state’s critical transportation infrastructure. The program will invest $4 million annually over six years.

“When we voted for the historic infrastructure bill, we knew the importance of ensuring that new federal investments in our transportation infrastructure would be complemented by investments in our workers and apprenticeship programs. That is why the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expanded opportunities for states to establish programs like Roads to Careers,” said federal lawmakers. “This initiative will help create pathways to career success and train a skilled workforce to build the future of transportation in Maryland. It is a prime example of how our partnerships with the Biden-Harris Administration and the State are strengthening our workforce, infrastructure, and economy.”

The program is focused on serving Maryland women and other job seekers who often face barriers to employment. Road to Careers will promote pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships as means to overcome barriers to employment. Participants will receive on-the-job training and mentorship that will help connect them directly to careers.

“An inclusive approach to growing our transportation workforce is vital to our economic growth. This historic investment couples time-tested training models like apprenticeship with critical supports like childcare, access to counseling, or basic needs like uniforms,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “We thank Secretary Wiedefeld and MDOT for their forward-thinking leadership and partnership on this effort.”

Since Baltimore was announced as one of the Biden Administration’s Workforce Hubs, the State of Maryland has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration to craft a workforce development program that brings together best practices and smartly deploys federal transportation dollars to strengthen Maryland’s ability to deliver future infrastructure projects for years to come.

“Thanks to the historic investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law there is an even greater need for skilled workers to help build our state’s future transportation system,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The Roads to Careers grant program will train electricians, welders, heavy equipment operators, construction workers and all skilled trade workers who are in demand while providing family-supporting, good-paying careers for Marylanders. I join in thanking Secretary Wu and the team at the Department of Labor for their partnership and look forward to continuing to work closely with them to meet the state’s employment needs.”

To ensure participants successfully complete the program and secure employment, grantees are required to develop comprehensive, individualized support that helps reduce barriers to employment. Grantees may also use portions of their awards to support participants’ transportation, childcare, mental health, or work equipment costs.

Applicants are encouraged to work with partner networks to ensure that individuals with barriers to employment—including those who are low-income, justice-involved and English language learners—have access to the program.

Applications are due February 28, 2025 and grants will begin in May 2025. Awards are capped at $500,000.

To learn more about Road to Careers and for application documents and corresponding policy, visit the Maryland Department of Labor’s Road to Careers website.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dinah Winnick