WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $1,885,142 grant to the University of Southern Maine to support its displaced-worker programs, Sens. Snowe and Collins announced Wednesday.

“This money will help hundreds of Maine workers who have lost their jobs to upgrade their skills and find employment in sectors unrelated to their previous job,” the senators said in a joint release. “Hundreds of Maine families will surely benefit from the dislocated worker programs the university administers.”

The grant aims to develop Maine’s metal products manufacturing industry and to help dislocated workers gain the necessary skills to find employment in that industry. The grant is funded through the Workforce Investment Act, legislation that Snowe and Collins have long supported.

In addition, 500 current workers will benefit from the grant, expanding the base of career ladder opportunities in jobs that pay a livable wage. The University of Southern Maine is one of 19 organizations nationwide to receive the grant.