US Department of Labor provides continued re-employment assistance for Washington state workers affected by layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $285,804 National Emergency Grant increment to continue re-employment assistance for about 400 workers affected by layoffs while working at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site in southeastern Washington state.

The workers were employed by CH2MHILL Plateau Remediation Co., Materials and Energy Corp., Mission Support Alliance and 13 other contractors engaged in environmental cleanup activities at the Hanford Site. The funding announced today will continue employment-related assistance, including support services and training, to help these dislocated workers compete for jobs in growing areas of the economy.

On April 3, 2012, the Labor Department awarded a grant for up to $1,341,383 to the Washington State Employment Security Department, initially releasing $1,055,579. This second increment represents the balance of the grant.

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/.