Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis to tour EMCC on Oct. 15

SAN FRANCISCO – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will visit Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) in Avondale, Arizona, Monday, Oct. 15, to tour its SouthWest Skill Center. The tour will be followed by remarks and a press availability. EMCC, a Maricopa Community College, is leading a five-school consortium that recently received $13,477,799 in grants through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College to Career Training initiative. The funding will help train trade-impacted workers and other adults for high-skill, high-wage employment in energy and mining industries.

A total of 54 grants covering nearly 300 schools across the country were announced Sept. 19. These grants will foster partnerships between community colleges and local employers to promote skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care, as well as science, technology, engineering and math occupations. Additional information on the program, including a full list of grantees, is available online at http://www.doleta.gov/taaccct.   

This is not open to public. Invitation and press only.

WHO:             Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis
                        Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona
                        Rep. Ed Pastor of Arizona
                        Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers
                        EMCC President Ernest Lara
                        Senior Vice President of Operations at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Bob Bement                       

WHAT:          Tour of EMCC’s SouthWest Skill Center, remarks and press availability

WHERE:       Estrella Mountain Community College
                      SouthWest Skill Center (tour)
                      Mariposa Hall, Room 152-153 (remarks and press availability; media parking in Lot G)
                      3000 N. Dysart Road
                      Avondale, Ariz. 85392

WHEN:          Monday, Oct. 15
                       Remarks and press availability: 3:30 p.m. MST

Press interested in attending the event should contact

Jose Carnevali using the information above.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.