WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced six new appointments and 21 reappointments of members to the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship. The committee is charged with expanding apprenticeships into all sectors of the economy and building partnerships that increase apprenticeship opportunities for Americans.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 350,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 376,000. The 4-week moving average was 376,500, a decrease of 9,750 from the previous week's revised average of 386,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending June 30, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 374,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 388,000. The 4-week moving average was 385,750, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 387,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending June 23, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5 million National Emergency Grant incremental award that will fund temporary jobs to assist with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts in New York in the wake of damage caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $12,193,752 National Emergency Grant supplement that will fund nearly 1,400 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe storms and floods that struck southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a total of $12,096,172 in grants to nine nonprofit organizations across the country to provide critical employment and support services for previously incarcerated female adults and youth as they make the transition back into their communities.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 386,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 392,000. The 4-week moving average was 386,750, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average of 387,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending June 16, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,697,185 grant to assist about 345 workers affected by layoffs from AdLife Healthcare LLC, Fidelity Investments, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., IAP Worldwide Services Inc., National Grid USA Service Co. Inc., Quantech Services Inc. and Sun Life Financial at locations throughout Massachusetts.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded three National Emergency Grants totaling more than $4 million to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources that will assist more than 750 workers affected by recent plant closures and resulting layoffs in Puerto Rico.

"The services provided through these federal grants will help these dislocated workers improve their re-employment prospects by providing training to prepare them for careers in high-demand industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $500,000 National Emergency Grant supplement to continue re-employment and training services for workers who were hired on a temporary basis to help with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the tsunami that struck American Samoa in September 2009.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced awards of $1.8 million in grants to consortia in six states through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program.

"Apprenticeship programs are effective pipelines into growing industries. But too often, these programs are not as accessible to women. The federal grants announced today will better connect women with apprenticeships, helping them to gain skills in fields that offer long-term career opportunities," said Secretary Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $100,485 National Emergency Grant supplement to continue providing re-employment and training services to about 75 workers affected by layoffs by the Maine Military Authority in Limestone, Maine.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded nearly $50 million in two types of grants to 25 community-based organizations that will provide job training, education and support services to youth and young adults returning from the juvenile justice system.

"These young people deserve a chance to turn their lives around," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The federal grants announced today will help vulnerable youth receive the training and support they need to gain valuable job skills and improve their long-term employment prospects."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 387,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 389,000. The 4-week moving average was 386,250, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 382,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending June 9, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,055,188 grant to assist about 755 workers affected by the closure of four companies in Wisconsin's manufacturing sector: Joerns Healthcare Inc. of Stevens Point, SNE Enterprises Inc. of Mosinee, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. of Two Rivers, and Wausau Paper Printing and Writing LLC of Brokaw. The layoffs began in December 2011 and will continue through December 2012.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,542,924 National Emergency Grant increment to provide employment-related services to 443 workers who are members of the Lummi Nation and have been affected by fishing industry layoffs in Bellingham, Wash.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,990,725 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue re-employment services for more than 4,800 workers directly affected by the closure of New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. in Fremont, Calif., and 39 suppliers affected by the closure of NUMMI's plant.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,118,609 National Emergency Grant increment to provide employment-related services to more than 960 workers impacted by the closure of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. facility located in Union City, Tenn.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $203,555 National Emergency Grant increment to continue employment-related services for about 600 workers affected by layoffs and closings at 11 companies in Massachusetts and one in Connecticut across a variety of industries.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced guidance to state agencies responsible for Unemployment Insurance regarding short-time compensation, commonly referred to as "work sharing." Today's announcement is the latest in a series of innovative reforms to the UI program made possible by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 signed by President Obama in February.