The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $43 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants to seven states to invest in employer-driven skills training programs for critical industries like shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear energy.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the second round of Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants will provide funding to State Workforce Agencies to provide outcome-based reimbursements to employers who provide training that is responsive to rapidly evolving skill requirements and local workforce needs. More than $10 million of the awarded funding supports occupations in the domestic shipbuilding industry and the maritime supply chain.
“President Trump is restoring American manufacturing dominance, especially in critical industries like manufacturing, shipbuilding, and nuclear energy,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “As we continue to see growth in the construction and manufacturing sectors these grants ensure that American workers have the skills necessary to fill the high-skilled and high-paying jobs that are driving our nation into a new era of industrial might and provide the economic security that previous administrations let slip overseas.”
In September 2025, the department awarded more than $86 million to 14 states in the first round of Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants. Across both rounds, the grants invest more than $129 million in 21 states nationwide, including over $30 million for the shipbuilding industry. These investments support the Administration’s reindustrialization agenda and its commitment to building the skilled workforce for high-growth and emerging industries including advanced manufacturing; aerospace; infrastructure; building and construction; cybersecurity; domestic mineral production; healthcare; information technology; maritime supply chain; nuclear energy; quantum computing; and shipbuilding.
The department awarded the second round of Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants to the following recipients:
| Recipient | State | Amount |
| Colorado Department of Labor and Employment | CO | $6,740,000 |
| Indiana Department of Workforce Development | IN | $6,740,000 |
| Montana Department of Labor and Industry | MT | $4,837,533 |
| Nebraska Department of Labor | NE | $4,633,750 |
| Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission | OR | $6,740,517 |
| Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry | PA | $6,740,000 |
| Washington Employment Security Department | WA | $6,740,000 |