US Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $906,000 to assist dislocated workers in New York

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $906,538 grant to assist about 400 dislocated workers who either are currently receiving intensive services and training from the state of New York or are on waiting lists for services and training due to funding shortages.

"As our nation's economic recovery takes hold, New Yorkers deserve access to training and other services that will lead to jobs with family supporting wages, stability and a real chance for advancement," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Awarded to the New York State Department of Labor, this grant will be operated by the Broome-Tioga Workforce Development Board, the State University of New York at Oswego Center for Business and Community Development, Chautauqua Works, Chenango Workforce Investment Board, CNY Works, the Columbia/Green Workforce Investment Board, the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, the Herkimer/Madison/Oneida Workforce Investment Board, the St. Lawrence Office of Economic Development and the Yonkers Workforce Investment Board.

These 10 workforce investment boards met the expenditure threshold of at least 95 percent of their program year 2009 Workforce Investment Act formula funds and demonstrated additional current year worker need to be eligible to receive this type of funding.

This grant will provide the state with additional funding to provide 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.