UH Maui Receives Dollars for Job Training

Sen. Daniel Akaka News Release

The University of Hawaii (UH) will receive $4.3 million to continue a 14-year old program that provides job training and educational opportunities to more than 800 residents each year who live in underserved, rural communities on Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye announced the funding last week.

The national unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent in May, and job creation has fallen to its lowest point in eight months. Maui County reported a 20 percent decrease in unemployment compared with one year ago.

“We have been fortunate that Hawaii’s unemployment rate (5.6 percent through April) is well below the national average, but we must continue to target the segments of our population that were hit hardest by the global recession,” Inouye said. “Many of our residents who reside in rural communities do not have access or are unable to enroll in our education system or seek out vocational training.  We must provide these residents with the skills and training needed to enter the workforce so they can succeed and provide for their families.”

The $4.3 million was appropriated through an earmark requested by Senator Inouye in the FY2010 federal budget and released to the UH by the U.S. Department of Labor following a recent procurement action.

The University of Hawaii-Maui College oversees the program, which offers training in a variety of disciplines including healthcare, culinary arts, food service, veterinary technicians, automotive repair and others.

“Employee training and education play a critical role in getting Americans back to work,” Akaka said.  “For those in Hawaii’s rural neighbor island communities, accessing educational resources can sometimes be difficult.  This funding will help these motivated workers develop the skills necessary to find a new job or start a new career.”

For more information, please visit maui.hawaii.edu/