AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Maine is getting $3.6 million from the federal government for job training programs.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins said the U.S. Department of Labor Grant will be tremendously helpful in developing Maine’s workforce, which she says is critical to the state’s economic success. She says that investments in the workforce lead to increased wages, more competition and greater productivity.

Maine was awarded the funding through the Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant Program. It’s designed to increase training opportunities for in-demand jobs in industries like health care, advanced manufacturing and information technology.