Owensboro, KY –December 12, 2006 – U.S. Representative Ron Lewis announced today that the Owensboro Community and Technical College will receive $824,779 in grant assistance from the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor.

OCTC plans to apply funds to support their biotechnology and life science program. Expanding educational opportunities will assist efforts to recruit and train workers to fill local needs in the growing biotechnology industry. Working with an alliance of regional economic development and employment councils, OCTC plans to launch a recruitment campaign that will target interested students at 22 area high schools as well as those who are displaced workers and those seeking to change their career focus.

“These funds will allow OCTC to continue their progress on this important project,” said Lewis. “The sustained growth of the biotechnical industry in Kentucky has resulted in an increased demand for skilled workers to fulfill current needs. I congratulate OCTC and other key partners for seizing this opportunity to strengthen economic development in Daviess County and surrounding counties.”

The project will incorporate two laboratory courses adapted to meet local circumstances into current certificate and associate level biotechnology curriculum. Students will also be offered industry exposure through summer internship opportunities. Grant funds may also be applied to expand related professional development opportunities for elementary and high school teachers; procure lab equipment; and modify curriculum to include technology-based methods of learning.

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