Construction Materials

US Department of Labor awards $43 million to 7 states to support skills training in shipbuilding, manufacturing, aerospace, other critical industries WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $43 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants to seven states to invest in employer-driven skills training programs for critical industries like shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear energy.Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the second round of Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants will provide funding to State Workforce Agencies to provide outcome-based reimbursements to employers who provide training that is responsive to rapidly evolving skill requirements and local workforce needs. More than $10 million of the awarded funding supports occupations in the domestic shipbuilding industry and the maritime supply chain.“President Trump is restoring American manufacturing dominance, especi...

US Department of Labor awards $65M to develop, expand access to training opportunities through Workforce Pell Grants WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $65 million in grants to consortia in seven states to help community colleges develop high-quality, short-term programs that can qualify for Workforce Pell funding. Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants funding is awarded to statewide community college systems, or a consortia of community colleges to ensure effective development and expansion of the new programs and support the statewide coordination that is necessary for successful implementation of Workforce Pell Grants.       “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are building an industry-driven education and workforce system that prepares Americans for the new, high-skilled, high-paying private-s...

US Department of Labor investigation finds Chicago construction employer exposed workers to continued safety hazards, proposes $265K in penalties CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Calumet City-based residential construction and carpentry employer after two separate investigations into its continued failure to provide fall protection for workers. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated two worksites operated by Martin Araujo – doing business as Araujo Construction Corp. – and found that carpenters and general construction laborers were installing roof rafters and roof sheeting without fall protection, exposing them to falls of up to 25 feet. OSHA cited Araujo Construction with two willful violations for not providing fall protection, while working from heights during residential construction at the two worksites. OSHA also cited the employer with nine repeat safety violations for failing to provide head and eye protection, l...

This Labor Day, the US Department of Labor celebrates 250 years of the American worker, our nation’s greatest asset WASHINGTON – As America celebrates Labor Day and its 250th anniversary, the U.S. Department of Labor is honoring the generations of American workers whose skill, strength, ingenuity, and determination built the greatest nation and most powerful economy the world has ever known.For 250 years, American workers have built our cities, cultivated our land, powered our factories, forged our steel, laid our railroads, pioneered new technologies, and carried American industry to every corner of the globe. From the workshops and farms of 1776 to the factories, construction sites, small businesses, and cutting-edge industries of today, the American worker has always been the backbone of our nation.“American workers are the greatest workers in the world,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “For 250 years, their skill, ingenuity, determination, and hard work have built...

Acting Secretary Sonderling statement on August jobs report WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling issued the following statement regarding the August 2026 Employment Situation Report:“President Trump’s economic comeback continues to deliver for American workers and businesses, as this Administration has now surpassed 1 million new private-sector jobs. In August, the economy added 162,000 jobs, tripling expectations and marking the second-largest monthly gain of President Trump’s second term. This year alone, the U.S. economy has added 643,000 jobs.“After years of decline, American manufacturing continues to rebound exactly as President Trump promised. Fueled by trillions of dollars in historic investments, manufacturing and construction have now added jobs for three consecutive months.”  Published at 2026-09-04T12:00:00Z Read more at https://dol.gov