US Labor Department announces funding to help Massachusetts workers affected by layoffs at High Liner Foods, Symmetry Medical in New Bedford

State: Massachusetts

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Award Amount Approved/Released: $784,648

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

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 138

Use of Funds: The U.S. Department of Labor approved a National Dislocated Worker Grant award for $784,648 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The funds will provide reemployment services to individuals impacted by layoffs from High Liner Foods and Symmetry Medical, both located in New Bedford.

The project will allow the Greater New Bedford Career Center to build upon job fairs and services already provided, expanding reemployment assistance to include individual assessments, case management, vocational counseling, job search techniques, training, and supportive services – all of which will help these affected workers find good jobs in growing occupational fields.

Background: Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants 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. The grants generally provide resources to states and local workforce investment boards to reemploy laid-off workers quickly by offering training to increase occupational skills.