Community colleges across seven states will receive $65 million in federal grants to develop and expand short-term training programs eligible for Workforce Pell funding, including programs focused on construction and skilled trades.
The U.S. Department of Labor announced the sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants on Sept. 23, 2026. The funding will support seven lead institutions and 102 consortium members working to strengthen workforce training and coordination with state workforce systems.
The grants were awarded to community college systems and consortia in Colorado, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas.
The largest consortium is led by Alamo Community College District in San Antonio, which received approximately $10.47 million and includes 37 consortium members. Hawkeye Community College in Iowa received $10.8 million, while the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education, led by Pueblo Community College in Colorado, received about $10.77 million.
Other awards include approximately $10.8 million for the Junior College District of St. Louis, $8.54 million for Northwest Mississippi Community College, $7.66 million for Pellissippi State Community College and $5.96 million for the Community College of Rhode Island.
The funded programs will cover several high-demand industries, including artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, nuclear energy, information technology and shipbuilding.
The initiative is designed to help colleges develop short-term programs that can qualify for Workforce Pell Grants. The funding also emphasizes coordination between educational institutions and state workforce systems, including improved data integration.
For construction employers, programs supported through the grants could contribute to training pathways for workers entering skilled trades and other construction-related occupations.
The federal investment creates additional resources for community colleges developing workforce programs connected to construction and skilled trades. Contractors and other industry employers may benefit from expanded training pipelines as participating institutions build programs aligned with workforce needs.
The grants also provide a mechanism for connecting education providers with state workforce systems, potentially improving coordination between training programs and employers seeking qualified workers.
Source: U.S. Department Of Labor.
