BOISE - Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's Workforce Development Council seeks proposals to train low-income, at-risk high school students for the occupations that will be demanded by the high-growth industries of Idaho's economic future. Written proposals must be submitted by Feb. 27.

More than $560,000 in one-year Workforce Investment Act grants will be awarded on a regional basis by the council, which oversees Idaho's work force development activities. The grants must be matched by participating school districts, either in cash or through in-kind contributions such as staff time or facilities.

The grants will run from July 1 through June 30, 2010. Written proposals must be submitted to the Department of Labor by Feb. 27. The complete Request for Proposal and submittal instructions are available on the department's website, www.labor.idaho.gov, under "What's News."

The training programs are targeted at low-income youth ages 14 to 21 who are deficient in basic literacy skills, school dropouts, homeless or foster children, pregnant or parenting, offenders or who require additional assistance to complete their high school education or find and hold a job.

The council has set aside $32,600 for Southeastern Idaho and $48,800 for Eastern Idaho, $166,700 in grant funds for northern Idaho, $116,150 for north-central Idaho, $154,000 for southwestern Idaho and $43,800 for south-central Idaho.