US Department of Labor awards $1 million grant to assist laid-off workers at 16 Massachusetts manufacturing companies

WASHINGTON —— The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,081,678 grant to provide employment-related assistance to 120 residents affected by layoffs and closings at 16 manufacturing companies located in Bristol County, Mass.

The companies are A. L. Ellis Inc., Alliance Paper Co., Inc., American Dryer Corp., Blount Fine Foods, C & E Industries, Corporate Image Apparel, Inc., Findings, Inc., Griffin Manufacturing Co., Inc., Lightolier (Gentyle Thomas Group LLC), New England Electropolishing, Rapster, Inc., Reflek Corp., Rock-Tenn Co., Spectrum Lighting, Inc., Swan Dyeing and Printing Corp., and Victor Residential (formally Quaker Fabrics).

"Many of these workers lack the necessary skills and education needed to transition into jobs in other emerging industries," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric Seleznow. "The department's grant will make available critical employment services to help these workers in their search for employment."

Awarded to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the grant will be operated by the Bristol Workforce Investment Board. The funds will provide these dislocated workers with employment and training services, including Adult Basic Education, General Educational Development (GED) certificates, job-search services, and vocational skills training. The workers will be able to access services at any of the American Job Centers in Massachusetts .

Of the $1,081,678 announced today, $560,754 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the commonwealth demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

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/.