ACT Centers Poised to Help Community Colleges Fulfill President Bush's Job Training Initiative

January 21, 2004

IOWA CITY, Iowa—As President George W. Bush calls for $250 million in job training funds for the nation's community colleges, a nationwide network of colleges is positioned to deliver training to businesses and individuals. The network of ACT Centers has been established during the past four years, primarily at community colleges, and is now delivering state-of-the-art skills testing and targeted training for literally thousands of jobs.

The President's job training initiative was first discussed last night during his State of the Union address, and was a key part of speeches delivered by the President today during visits to community colleges.

"I propose increasing our support for America's fine community colleges, so they can train workers for the industries that are creating the most new jobs," said President Bush. "By all these actions, we will help more and more Americans to join in the growing prosperity of our country. Job training is important, and so is job creation."

Community colleges are important in supplying local businesses with skilled employees.

"The colleges that make up the ACT Centers network recognized the need for stronger workforce development efforts years ago," said Richard L. Ferguson, chief executive officer for ACT, Inc. "It's clear that businesses need the flexibility of training programs that can be accessed at the college or through the Internet, at work or at home. Thousands of businesses have worked with us, using job skills testing and targeted training to prepare employees and applicants for better jobs. A strong economy depends upon a skilled workforce."

A wide variety of businesses are taking advantage of training programs through the ACT Centers, including companies involved in the automotive industry, manufacturing and aerospace engineering. Training is available in foundational work skills, information technology, English as a second language, management and leadership, and thousands of other courses covering many disciplines. Health care coursework is in development.

Find an ACT Center in your area.