US Department of Labor announces $5.5 million grant to assist dislocated workers in Minnesota

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,527,108 grant to continue to assist about 1,789 dislocated workers currently receiving intensive services and training from the state of Minnesota, as well as to serve those on waiting lists due to statewide funding shortages.

"Helping more workers gain the skills needed to enter careers in growing industries is the right thing to do for the economy and our nation as a whole," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will help workers currently receiving training and other job-related services, and it will allow Minnesota to provide retraining and re-employment support to those who have been placed on waiting lists."

Awarded to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, this grant will be operated by Anoka County Job Training Center, Dakota-Scott Workforce Services, Hennepin County Training and Employment Assistance, Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Programs Inc., Southeastern Minnesota Workforce Development Inc., Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council Inc., Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council, Washington County Workforce Center and the Winona County Workforce Council.

The grant will provide the state with additional dislocated worker funding to provide affected workers with access to dislocated worker services. These services may include skills assessment, basic skills training, individual career counseling and occupational skills training.

This grant will be funded by resources made available for National Emergency Grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.