US Department of Labor awards grant to provide employment services for Pennsylvania oil refinery workers affected by layoffs

WASHINGTON – A $5 million National Emergency Grant has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to provide re-employment services to about 1,000 workers affected by the closure of two oil refineries in the commonwealth. The refineries provided jobs at ConocoPhillips' Trainer facility and Sunoco Inc.'s Marcus Hook facility as well as for contractors who were employed at both locations.

"Anytime major employers shut their doors, communities suffer," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This federal grant aims to help lessen the negative impact of these closures by providing re-employment and retraining services so impacted workers can more effectively compete for new jobs in growing industries."

In 2011, the companies announced that the refineries would be closed if buyers could not be found. The department's grant will provide dislocated workers with intensive employment-related services, including occupational skills training, in order to help them re-enter the workforce in growing sectors of the local economy.

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