(U.S. SENATE) - Senator Jon Tester is fulfilling his pledge to make sure Montanans get the skills they need for the jobs of today - as well as the jobs of tomorrow.

Tester today announced that Montana colleges will receive nearly $15 million from the U.S. Labor Department to support job-training programs in the health care field. The funding stems from legislation that Tester supported in 2009 that helps community colleges and other schools start or expand job training or re-training initiatives to help workers get high-wage and high-skill jobs.

Montana's initiative will be led by Missoula College and focus on training for Montana's health care industry. Fifteen two-year, community colleges and tribal colleges will work with healthcare providers statewide to implement the program.

"When we combine Montanans' work ethic with the skills needed to succeed, our communities and families benefit," Tester said. "These resources will help our top-ranked schools train Montanans to improve our health care system and make our state an even healthier place to live and work. I'm proud to help bring folks together to move our state forward."

Tester wrote a letter of support earlier this year backing Montana's grant proposal. Montana's grant is part of a larger, nationwide effort to ensure the nation's workers have the skills they need in the 21st century economy.

Montana's grant will focus on finding ways to address Montana's nursing shortages, increase student achievement and access, and streamline pathways for earning a career certificate or degree in the health care industry.

The following Montana schools will receive funding:

• Bitterroot College UM 158,789.00
• Blackfeet Community College 637,940.00
• City College MSUB 637,940.00
• Chief Dull Knife College 158,789.00
• Flathead Valley Community College 638,940.00
• Gallatin College MSU 158,789.00
• Great Falls College MSU 637,940.00
• Helena College UM 637,940.00
• Miles Community College 637,940.00
• Missoula College UM 7,934,206.00
• MSU Northern 637,940.00
• Highlands College MT Tech 637,940.00
• UM Western 145,132.00
• Salish Kootenai College 386,882.00
• Stone Child College 158,789.00
• US DOL Required Grant Evaluation 782,691.00
• Total 14,988,587.00

The funding is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program, which is run by the Labor Department and Education Department.

Tester's letter of support is available below.

Tester Letter in Support of TAACCCT Job Training Assistance by Dan Malessa