This fall, 41 Clark State College Engineering Technology students received more than $81,000 in reimbursements as participants in Clark State’s H-1B Advanced Manufacturing Grant. The students earned at least one State Recognized Credential which generated the reimbursement.

The H-1B Advanced Manufacturing Grant is a $3.5-million-dollar grant from the Department of Labor and Clark State is one of 19 organizations and universities from across the country that competitively bided and received funding to provide services under this Grant.

Clark State student Noah Lovelock said he appreciates the H-1B Grant reimbursement.

“This will help me get through my college year,” he said.

Darryl Grayson, Clark State’s H-1B Grant Project Manager, said the individuals who earned this grant reimbursement are the community’s next potential technical innovators, and manufacturer’s next leaders.

“We don’t know what innovations they are going to create and develop, and I am excited that we have the opportunity to leverage this grant’s funding to support them in their efforts,” he said.

Grayson said this is the first round of reimbursements, and Clark State will be doing subsequent rounds at the beginning of each semester. 

“Most - if not all (students) - will be continuing their education and a number of these students will be finishing their degrees over the next six months,” he said.

Clark State was awarded the grant in January of 2021. The funds are used to invest in training for key sectors of the U.S. economy. Grant recipients focus on upskilling the current workforce and training the workforce of the future for critical industries such as advanced manufacturing.

“Clark State has made a name for itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “The H-1B grant builds upon that work through providing a new and futuristic pathway: laser manufacturing, as well as expanding access to individuals who wish to reskill by training for a good paying job. Clark State is, and will continue to be, an excellent steward of this money and the workforce we serve.”

The goals of the H-1B Advanced Manufacturing Grant are to help support those individuals’ entering technology and manufacturing careers, as well as those already in manufacturing to gain new technical skills and abilities. For more information on how Clark State’s H-1B Advanced Manufacturing Grant can help you, or your organization, please contact Darryl Grayson at 937.328.6465, or graysond@clarkstate.edu.