US Department of Labor announces availability of $30M in grants to train American workers for jobs in high demand, emerging industries

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $30 million in funding in the Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant program to accelerate workforce innovation and address critical workforce needs across the country.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), these grants will provide outcome-based reimbursements to employers for providing training in high-demand and emerging industries that align with President Trump’s Executive Order 14278, Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future, Executive Order 14629, Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance, and America’s AI Action Plan. This fund also echoes the President’s proposal to Make America Skilled Again, which aims to provide states with the resources and flexibility needed to meet their unique workforce demands. 

“The Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants will ensure employers drive workforce training that is critical for their business needs, while also upskilling workers and developing a critical talent pipeline to fulfill this Administration’s goal of putting American workers and employers first,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “These grant opportunities will help fill the good-paying, in-demand jobs being created by President Trump’s successful efforts to restore America as the world’s leading manufacturing superpower and secure our position as the dominant global leader in AI.”

Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants of up to $8 million will be awarded to State Workforce Agencies to establish and administer training funds that encourage businesses to create and expand innovative training programs. These programs will help make sure both new hires and workers with more experience are able to gain the critical skills they need to meet the evolving workforce demands of their industries.

Priority industries for the grants include artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, nuclear energy, domestic mineral production, and information technology. Additionally, the department intends to award at least $5 million to build a pipeline of skilled American workers in the shipbuilding industry.

Dependent on the availability of funding, the department anticipates additional rounds of grants. 

Learn more about how to apply for the 2025 Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant.