October 1, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces First Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Raytheon Technologies as the first Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP), a major milestone in this Administration’s goal to expand apprenticeships and create more job opportunities for American workers. The National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) serves as the Standards Recognition Entity (SRE) overseeing Raytheon’s program. NIMS was recognized by the Department on Sept.

September 30, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Additional Funding To The Cherokee Nation for Grant Responding to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding for an opioid-crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant for the Cherokee Nation. The award of $1,998,834 will provide continued employment and training services to eligible individuals in communities across 14 counties included in the tribal jurisdiction that are affected significantly by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

September 29, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $29 Million to Create Workforce Opportunities in Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an award of $29 million to 27 grant recipients through the Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) program, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA).

September 29, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $118 Million In Dislocated Worker Grants to Address the Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of additional funding for 15 Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) totaling $118,034,389 to help address the workforce-related impacts of the coronavirus public health emergency. This additional funding is being provided using the Dislocated Worker Grant National Reserve Funds.

September 29, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $1.3 Million in Additional Funding To Rural Communities in California in Response to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding for an opioid-crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) for the California Department of Employment Development. The award of $1,316,125 will provide continued employment and training services to eligible individuals in rural communities across nine counties, which are affected significantly by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

September 29, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Additional Funding To Rhode Island for Grant Responding to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding for an opioid-crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) for the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. The award of $1,329,657 will provide continued employment and training services to eligible individuals in communities across five counties, which are affected significantly by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

September 28, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $8 million For Unemployment Insurance Projects

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $8 million for three projects relating to Unemployment Insurance (UI). These projects will continue operations of the UI Integrity Center of Excellence, provide funding for the continued oversight of the UI Interstate Connection Network (ICON), and provide funding for the continued operations of the UI Information Technology Support Center (UI ITSC).

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Over $22 Million to Industry Intermediaries to Support Continued Apprenticeship Expansion and Opportunity

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded approximately $22 million in contract investments to 12 Industry Intermediaries to continue the Department’s efforts to expand the number of apprenticeship opportunities in growing sectors across the country.

This effort will further Registered Apprenticeship expansion strategies in high growth industries including information technology (IT), cybersecurity, telecommunications and 5G advanced manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare and health IT, transportation and logistics, and energy.

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Up to $6.8 Million In Disaster Recovery Funding in Response to California Wildfires

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) of up to $6,877,500 to the California Department of Employment Development in response to the recent wildfires.

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $156 Million in Grants to Provide Career Services and Training Services to Low-Income Older Individuals

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of approximately $156 million in grants through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) to provide career services and training services to low-income older individuals who are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Phased Reopening Of Job Corps Campuses

WASHINGTON, DCThe U.S. Department of Labor today announced plans for the national reopening of Job Corps campuses with select centers welcoming students starting Oct. 20, 2020.

Each Job Corps Center, subject to national office oversight, will determine the best approach to resume on-site operations ensuring the health and welfare of the students and staff. Not all Job Corps campuses will resume physical operations at the same time.

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Over $40 Million in Grants Through Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $41 million in grants to 47 states and Puerto Rico through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. This annual formula grant provides funding to states for training and other activities, including training services, job search, and relocation allowances, and employment and case management services to serve eligible workers affected by foreign trade.

September 24, 2020

​​​​​​​U.S. Department of Labor Announces up to $8 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding for Louisiana in Response to Hurricane Laura

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $8,000,000, awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, in response to Hurricane Laura. 

September 24, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Availability of $150 Million To Invest in Workforce Training for Key U.S. Employment Sectors

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the availability of $150 million in the H-1B One Workforce Grant Program to invest in training for middle- to high-skilled H-1B occupations within key sectors in the U.S. economy, including information technology and cyber security, advanced manufacturing and transportation, to upskill the present workforce and train a new generation of workers to grow the future workforce. 

September 24, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $2.5 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding for Texas in Response to Hurricane Laura

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for $2,500,000 awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, in response to Hurricane Laura. 

September 24, 2020

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending September 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 870,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 860,000 to 866,000. The 4-week moving average was 878,250, a decrease of 35,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,500 from 912,000 to 913,500.

Read the full release.

September 23, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces First Group of Standards Recognition Entities for Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs

WASHINGTON, DC – As a critical part of the Administration’s efforts to expand access to in-demand job opportunities, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has recognized an initial 18 organizations as Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) to oversee the development of high-quality Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).

September 18, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Campaign to Share the Benefits Of Apprenticeships with Job Seekers and Employers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of registered apprenticeships, and increase participation by business leaders and job seekers nationwide.

September 18, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $11.2 Million In Worker Safety and Health Training Grants

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded approximately $11.2 million in Susan Harwood federal safety and health training grants to 90 nonprofit organizations nationwide.

September 17, 2020

United States and Guatemala Sign Joint Agreement To Improve H-2 Visa Program Operations

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Government, through efforts of the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, signed an updated bilateral cooperative agreement with Guatemala to facilitate increased transparency, accountability and worker safety in the H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs for temporary workers from Guatemala.