L&I Announces $3.6 Million Federal Grant to Train Dislocated Workers

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Pennsylvania a $3.6 million grant to provide training to dislocated workers statewide.   

"The grant will support one of Governor Corbett's key agenda items – to help our workers who are in need of a job find their way to stable employment," Hearthway said.

The Dislocated Worker Training National Emergency Grant, which will be administered by the Department of Labor & Industry's workforce development system, will support training and credential attainment focused on, but not limited to, careers in the advanced manufacturing, energy and health care sectors. 

The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) will offer training priority to the long-term unemployed, those likely to exhaust unemployment compensation benefits before reconnecting to the labor force, plus veterans and eligible spouses.

"Statistics frequently indicate that dislocated workers who receive training have higher employment rates than those who do not," Hearthway said. "Providing additional training dollars to create a highly-skilled and educated workforce will help provide job seekers with the skills they need to obtain employment."

Pennsylvania's workforce development system enables businesses and workers to compete in the worldwide, knowledge-based economy. The workforce system will enhance employer competitiveness and innovation, while preparing Pennsylvanians for new careers in higher-wage jobs, effectively improving the quality of life for our most valuable resource - our citizens.

National Emergency Grants, administered by the Employment and Training Administration a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, provide federal funding assistance to states and local workforce investment boards to quickly re-employ laid-off workers by offering training to increase occupational skills in various regions throughout the commonwealth. 

Media contact: Theresa Elliott; L&I, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry