The U.S. Department of Education awarded the University an $11 million grant to develop a research center for career and technical education over the next five years.
The new National Research Center for Career and Technical Education will conduct studies to address national issues in secondary and post-secondary technical and workforce training, according to a press release.
The grant, awarded by the Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education, will give the University $2.24 million per year over the next five years for management of the research center.
University officials will be the principal administrators for the center, but will work in coordination with researchers at Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana and Oregon State University. All five universities applied for the grant.
The center will also work in coordination with National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education, which will be administered by Ohio State University. The University’s center will provide research for the Ohio State center to distribute to educators, counselors, administrators and policy-makers.
Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minn., congratulated the University on Tuesday.
“Successful vocational and technical-training methods play a critical role in equipping future workers with the skills necessary to survive in a highly competitive job market,” Sabo said.
With the new federal funding, the University will become an important resource to improve career and technical education and address some work force development problems, Sabo said.
Erin Ghere covers faculty and state government and welcomes comments at [email protected]. She also can be reached at (612) 627-4070 x3217.