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Schools

Norwalk Community College Gets $6M Grant to Bolster Health Sciences

NCC is one of seven community colleges in the state to share $12.1 million in federal funding under the TAACCCT program, which aims to better prepare students for high-wage, high-skilled occupations.

Norwalk Community College has reportedly received a federal grant worth $5,971,240 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant (TAACCCT) program which it will use to expand its health sciences curriculum.

NCC is one of seven community colleges in the state to share $12.1 million in federal funding under the TAACCCT program, which aims to better prepare students for high-wage, high-skilled occupations.

“Connecticut’s higher educational institutions are an important resource for residents, especially veterans, to develop skills and advance their careers,” said US Senator Joe Lieberman in a press release. “This funding will be especially valuable because it will create opportunities to work in the growing fields of health and the life sciences.”

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“This funding will help schools throughout Connecticut provide critical job training for veterans and others in a 21st century industry that is advancing and saving lives,” added US Senator Richard Blumenthal. “As important as skills are the credentials and certifications needed to use them, which this funding will help provide. Especially exciting are the health care training courses for expanding opportunities in areas like engineering and bioscience, as well as physical therapy and surgical technology.”

On Friday US Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis reportedly personally delivered the federal grant to Norwalk Community College.

Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Health care is one of those areas that is recession proof -- this sector is going to continue to grow," Solis said during her visit to NCC, according to a report in the CT Post. "Right now, the urgency is getting people to work."

The $12.1 million grant Connecticut received is part of a $500 million federal grant that will aid 296 community colleges nationwide.

Last month, in a symbolic act, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed into law measures that will add, "extra support for college students who need help in their regular courses and ensure that graduating high school seniors are better prepared for the rigors of higher education."

Public Act 12-40, An Act Concerning College Readiness and Completion, will help students who may need educational assistance. Additional remedial support would be added to entry-level classes and an intensive college readiness experience would be made available for others.

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