State Announces Request for Proposals for EARN Maryland
BALTIMORE (April 17, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation today announced that Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland, the industry-led, competitive workforce and economic development grant initiative, is now accepting implementation grant proposals. EARN Maryland is an industry-led initiative, whose flexibility ensures that Maryland’s businesses have the talent they need to compete and grow. Proposals will be due on June 29, 2018, and awards will be made by the end of August.
Under the Hogan administration, the funding for EARN Maryland has doubled, with an added $4 million for cyber and green training in FY18 and FY19. A recent study found that for every dollar the state invests in the program, an additional $18.97 in economic activity is created. EARN encourages collaboration, funding strategic industry partnerships comprised of employers, non-profits, higher education, local workforce investment boards, and local governments. Partnerships provide in-demand, relevant training to Maryland’s workforce based upon needs identified by the industry. Today, there are 58 EARN partnerships in diverse industries ranging from construction to cybersecurity, healthcare to hospitality, and more.
"Investing in and expanding this nationally recognized initiative is a common sense way to ensure Maryland employers have the talent they need to thrive, while providing meaningful training opportunities for our citizens," said Governor Larry Hogan.
More than 850 employers have participated in the EARN Maryland program, resulting in more than 2,300 Marylanders obtaining employment and an estimated 4,400 incumbent workers advancing their skills. For every dollar spent on EARN Maryland, the state's return on investment is nearly $19, compared with the national average return on investment of $3.41.
"Governor Hogan’s continued support of EARN Maryland allows us to reach more of the state’s workforce and more of our job creators across numerous industries, like biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and logistics," said Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. "The level funding included in the fiscal year 2019 budget will allow the Department of Labor to grow the number of programs that we fund, benefiting an even greater portion of our population."
EARN’s innovative approach to workforce development addresses the demands of businesses by focusing intensively on the workforce needs of a specific industry sector over a sustained period. It considers the holistic needs of workers and creates formal career paths to good jobs, reducing barriers to employment, and sustaining or growing middle class jobs. Through job readiness training (which may include GED® preparation), occupational skills development, literacy advancement, and transportation and child care components, EARN Maryland encourages mobility for Maryland's most hard-to-serve jobseekers.
Find more information about EARN Maryland and a link to the Solicitation for Implementation Grant Proposal.
About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Theresa Blaner
Director, Communications and Media Relations
410-230-6241 (office)
443-721-8637 (cell)