Connecticut will set aside about $62 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to train and eventually place 8,000 workers in healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and other industries.

The Office of Workforce Strategy announced Tuesday that grants will be made to local workforce development and vocational training organizations through the Career ConneCT program, with the first round of applications being accepted online. The focus is on helping the unemployed, part of historically marginalized groups, and students preparing for high-demand careers.

The grants will be awarded twice a year for the next four years. The first round of applications will run until February 20. The next round of applications will be accepted in August.

Of the $62 million in U.S. relief package funding, about $14 million is for manufacturing; $14 million for information technology; $14 million for health care; $10 million for infrastructure and green jobs; $9 million Dollars are used in other industries. Additional federal funding is expected.

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“Allocations are based on industry needs, not just current needs, but future needs to ensure people move upwards as they enter these industries,” said Kelly-Marie Valieres, executive director of the Office of Workforce Strategy. She said the The state wants to meet the hiring needs of Connecticut employers.

Vallieres said her office plans to launch a second online portal soon, allowing job seekers and students to apply to all available training programs.

Other federal COVID relief funds have been used for various job training efforts during the Connecticut pandemic. For example, the Yale-New Haven Hospital System has partnered with the state to launch an in-house pharmacy technician training program that has graduated 69 to date.