This is the first report from the evaluation of the Community-Based Job Training Grants (CBJTG) program [that] focuses on building the capacity of community colleges to provide training to workers for high-growth, high-demand industries.
"The CBJTG program focuses on building the capacity of community colleges to provide training to workers for high-growth, high-demand industries" (p.v). The evaluation began in July 2008 with the purpose of documenting the different models and projects that are operating with grant funds, examining and assessing the implementation of grant-funded projects, and identifying innovative features and promising strategies. This report is based on a review of proposals and reports from 211 grantees available through the end of 2008. The information provides a comprehensive picture of the grantee organizations and the activities planned for their CBJTG-funded projects. (Abstractor: Author, Website Staff)

Major Findings & Recommendations

• "As of June 2008, the grantees reported that 52,147 individuals had started training programs and slightly over half of those individuals completed training. Of those that completed training, 78 percent received a degree or certificate. In addition, grantees report that 30,002 trainees entered employment. • Men and women were being served in roughly equal proportions, and whites were the most predominant racial group served under the grant programs, followed by African Americans. • The CBJTG program is dominated by grants in the health care industry, especially in round 1 of the grant competition where they make up over half of the grants awarded. This likely reflects the nationwide growth in the health care industry and in the need for nurses and other health care workers in many regions of the country. • The designs of the training programs by grantees in particular industries are characteristic of those industries. Grantees in health care are likely to use classroom training and mentorships, whereas grantees in advanced manufacturing are more likely to use apprenticeships for their training. • The grantees have also made progress accessing planned leveraged resources. Round 1 grantees have used an average of $1.1 million in federal and nonfederal resources, which approaches their average goal of about $1.9 million. Even though grantees in rounds 2 and 3 have not been in operation as long as the round 1 grantees, they are also making progress in reaching their leveraged resource goals" (p. viii). (More conclusions and outcomes can be found on pages vii-viii) (Abstractor: Author)