I’m proud of the work we’ve done at the Department of Labor for tribal communities. This summer, I had the chance to visit the Cook Inlet Tribal Council in Anchorage, Alaska. They’re using grant funding awarded through the Department’s Workforce Investment Act – Indian and Native American Program to develop a “Fab Lab,” where students are using the latest advanced manufacturing tools – including a 3-D printer – to gain the skills and training they need to excel in today’s workforce. The department has provided similar funding this year to 180 other tribal nations and Native American organizations, to support innovative job training and youth programs.

I’ve also been touring the country visiting winners of our Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program. These grants support partnerships between community colleges and employers to ensure that job seekers are getting the skills they need for in-demand jobs in industries like technology, health care, energy, and advanced manufacturing. And we’ve awarded more than $38 million in TAACCCT funding to tribal colleges, including $5.1 million in the latest round of funding Vice President Biden announced in September. I look forward to visiting one of the winners next year.

These investments are making a real difference in the lives of Indians and Native Americans. That’s why I was proud to announce today at the White House Tribal Nations Conference that going forward, the Department will ensure that federally recognized tribes can apply for all of our employment and training grants. During the next two months, we’ll be clarifying and changing grant eligibility rules, and developing model grant language to include in our Funding Opportunity Announcements. And to make this effort successful, we want to hear from you.