US Department of Labor awards grant increment to continue re-employment assistance for Texas workers impacted by aerospace layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $3,145,776 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment assistance to about 600 workers impacted by layoffs at 21 Houston-area companies. The layoffs primarily resulted from the termination of the Space Shuttle Program by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Many of the workers were contractors for the program at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

The companies include Ares Aerospace & Technology Services, BAE Systems and Mobility Protection, Barrios Technology, Bastion Technologies Inc., Boeing, Cimmaron, ERC Inc., Fluor, GB Tech, Hamilton Sunstrand, Jacobs/IESCG, Lockheed Martin, MEI Technologies, MRI Technologies, Oceaneering Space Systems, REDE/Critique – NSS, SAIC, SGT, Tessada & Associates, U.S.A. and Wyle Life Sciences.

"The additional federal funding announced today will provide these workers continued access to job placement assistance, skills training and other re-employment services to help them find new careers in high-growth industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

On Sept. 8, 2010, a National Emergency Grant was approved for up to $5,367,340, with $2,221,564 released initially. Today's increment, awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, completes the total funds awarded.

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/.