US Labor Department awards $1.2M in incremental funding for reemployment services to Massachusetts workers affected by layoffs

State: Massachusetts

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Initial Amount Approved: $3,214,752

Incremental Amount Awarded: $1,272,710

Funding Awarded to: Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 400

Use of Funds: The U.S. Department of Labor approved a National Dislocated Worker Grant award for up to $3,214,752, with $980,499 released initially on May 5, 2015, to fund reemployment services for 400 workers affected by layoffs by six Massachusetts employers. The employers are Avery Dennison Corporation, Intel Corporation and four biotech companies: Lonza Biologics, Inc., New England Primate Research Center, Olympus Biotech Corporation and Organogenesis, Inc.

With this incremental award, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will receive $1,272,710 to continue the provision of these reemployment services, bringing the total funds awarded to date for this project to $2,253,209.

Of those workers targeted for services, 80 individuals are eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance and may receive training through the TAA program. This dual enrollment grant project provides these TAA-certified workers with access to “wrap around” and supportive services that are not available through the TAA program.

Background: Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, NDWGs temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses. NDWGs generally provide resources to states and local workforce investment boards to reemploy laid-off workers quickly by offering training to increase occupational skills.