WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,644,575 grant to assist about 960 workers affected by layoffs from the pharmaceutical industry in northern New Jersey.

"Today's grant will give these workers the opportunity to find new jobs in expanding sectors of the state's economy," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These are hard-working and highly talented individuals, and we want to do everything possible to help guide and prepare them for other employment opportunities that may be available locally."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $919,588 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue to provide services to about 1,373 workers affected by layoffs in the manufacturing and retail industries in southeastern Minnesota.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on National Employ Older Workers Week, which takes place September 19 - 26.

"This week we celebrate the continued contributions of America's older workers. It is also a time to get word to every employer about the importance and benefits of hiring these seasoned professionals. After all, experience – coupled with a solid work ethic and strong decision making skills – makes for excellent job candidates.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $573,416 grant to assist about 183 workers affected by layoffs at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Dubuque, Iowa.

"Iowa has been hard hit by the recession, and I am committed to doing everything possible to help transition impacted workers across the state into better and permanent jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The grant announced today will help these Iowans gain skills and abilities, which will allow them to compete for and find good jobs in new and emerging industries."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Sept. 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 465,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 453,000. The 4-week moving average was 463,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 466,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Sept. 11, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the appointment of new members to the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship. The ACA is comprised of approximately 30 individuals representing labor unions, employers and the public.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,849,481 National Emergency Grant award to assist cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of hurricane-related flooding that struck Texas on June 30.

"The impact of these floods may not have been widely reported in the national media, but it was certainly felt by the many Texans who saw their lives and work interrupted," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These funds will pay for temporary cleanup and recovery jobs to be filled by individuals impacted by the flooding."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a final rule regarding the Unemployment Compensation Program. This rule implements federal legislation requiring the department to establish criteria for states to qualify for interest-free federal loans for the payment of unemployment compensation.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Sept. 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 450,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 453,000. The 4-week moving average was 464,750, a decrease of 13,500 from the previous week's revised average of 478,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Sept. 4, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,921,500 National Emergency Grant increment to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of flooding that struck Tennessee in May.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $437,084 grant to assist about 75 workers affected by layoffs from CDS Global in Red Oak, Iowa.

"The information industry has experienced painful layoffs during this recession," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will help affected Iowans get the retraining and re-employment services necessary to transfer their skills and secure new jobs in expanding fields."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $330,000 grant to assist about 60 workers affected by layoffs at Terex Handlers in Baraga, Mich.

"The state has been hit hard by this recession, and I want to ensure that dislocated workers are given the tools they need to train and prepare for new occupations that will lead to good and permanent jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will help these Michigan workers find new jobs in expanding sectors of the state's economy."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,367,340 grant to assist about 600 workers affected by layoffs from multiple employers impacted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's retirement of the Space Shuttle program.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Sept. 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 451,000, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 478,000. The 4-week moving average was 477,750, a decrease of 9,250 from the previous week's revised average of 487,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Aug. 28, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $10 million in grant funds to 22 states to make technology improvements leading to more accurate unemployment insurance benefit payments.

"We must constantly strive to improve the systems that prevent improper payments within unemployment insurance systems," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Technology improvements can save money both by preventing overpayments and in staff time that otherwise would be dedicated to recovering improperly paid benefits."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced more than $8 million in grants to 22 states to make automation and technology upgrades within unemployment insurance systems.

"Increased workloads have put a strain on many state unemployment insurance systems," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "We must work to ensure that technology is up to par to guarantee quality service for all unemployment claimants regardless of volume or demands on state programs."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has launched a Web portal to help job seekers match their current skills to new careers and find out what training is needed to transition from one job to another. This new online tool is called "mySkillsmyFuture" and can be accessed at http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org. Users will be able to view local job postings and locate training and education providers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the addition of the Career Videos for America's Job Seekers to a new federal government-wide site, http://www.challenge.gov.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Aug. 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 472,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 478,000. The 4-week moving average was 485,500, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 488,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Aug. 21, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a final rule regarding the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The final rule strengthens program aspects that will benefit unemployed, low-income older Americans who want to enter or re-enter the workforce. The rule will be effective on Oct.1.