US Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis announces $75 million to provide workers affected by layoffs with on-the-job training opportunities

DENVER, June 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During a visit to Denver, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced $75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds for On-the-Job Training, National Emergency Grants to 41 states, the District of Columbia and three federally recognized Native American tribes.  These resources will be used to help Americans get back to work, especially in geographic areas disproportionately impacted by the recession.

"Today's grants will help dislocated workers across the country learn while they earn.  For most that will mean not just employment, but also the chance to receive training that allows them to upgrade their skills," said Secretary Solis. "As our economic recovery takes hold, this investment presents a win-win scenario.  After all, workers are not the only ones who benefit from the approach.  On-the-job training programs also offer tremendous returns for employers who commit time and other resources to training and hiring employees."

On-the-Job Training Grants offer a method to jump start re-employment for dislocated workers experiencing prolonged unemployment by enabling employers to create training and job opportunities for these individuals.  Participants will be given a chance to "earn and learn," which means they will develop applicable occupational skills while earning a paycheck.  Employers participating in these on-the-job training projects will receive partial reimbursement to offset the extraordinary cost of training workers.  The projects will help workers become proficient in needed skills more quickly, which will serve to encourage employers to hire workers sooner than perhaps initially planned, facilitating the private sector hiring of well-qualified individuals to contribute to their bottom line and spur economic recovery.  

Today's awards distribute these resources across the country, not only to deliver on-the-job training services to thousands of unemployed Americans, but also to build the capacity of the workforce investment system to engage in this critical training model in the months and years to come to assist in economic recovery.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's Dislocated Worker National Reserve and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines.  For more information about the grants announced today, visit http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/Job_Training.cfm.

Editor's Note:  A chart of grant recipients follows this news release.

On-the-Job Training Grants – Grant recipients include states and federally recognized Native American tribes

Alabama - $1,444,144

Alaska - $715,684

Alaska - Orutsararmiut Native Council - $286,387

California - $9,990,477

Colorado - $1,137,558

Connecticut - $673,776

Delaware - $675,544

District of Columbia - $627,753

Florida - $3,462,110

Georgia - $2,023,944

Hawaii - $601,873

Idaho - $625,535

Illinois - $3,248,780

Indiana - $1,318,642

Iowa - $990,347

Kansas - $641,903

Kentucky - $978,725

Louisiana - $1,415,062

Maryland - $1,971,169

Massachusetts - $1,065,670

Michigan - $3,791,794

Mississippi - $1,651,549

Missouri - $1,284,243

Montana - $889,009

Nebraska - $534,080

New Hampshire - $972,474

New Jersey - $1,477,396

New Mexico - $354,902

New York - $3,426,727

North Carolina - $3,142,366

Ohio - $3,865,742

Oklahoma - $652,924

Oklahoma - Cherokee Nation - $850,357

Oklahoma - Seminole Nation - $236,668

Oregon - $2,119,166

Pennsylvania - $2,697,393

South Carolina - $1,327,704

South Dakota - $617,040

Tennessee - $1,170,677

Texas - $3,524,688

Vermont - $293,264

Virginia - $1,498,683

Washington - $1,960,262

West Virginia - $490,993

Wisconsin - $2,274,814

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov.  The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request.  Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.  The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations.  For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor