Four North Dakota colleges will split a $9.9 million grant from the US Labor Department.
The grant supports technical programs related to energy, transportation and construction.
Bismarck State College, Williston State College, Sitting Bull College and the Turtle Mountain Community College are part of the “TREND” consortium. "TREND" stands for Training for Regional Energy in North Dakota.
"As you know, we have a workforce shortage in North Dakota," said BSC National Energy Center of Excellence vice president Kari Knudson. "Many of the jobs that are open are related to the energy industry. The money from the grant is going to be used to build, expand and enhance programs at each college."
The colleges say this will help recruit and retain students, as well as qualified faculty.
"We're now able to attract some of those students that maybe wouldn't even think about coming to college," said Standing Rock College president Dr. Laurel Vermillion. "We're really going to focus on our male students, so that they can have a new direction, and provide for their families."
The colleges also say this program has helped them develop partnerships with private industry.