WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $300,000 National Emergency Grant increment to continue recovery and cleanup efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding that struck Puerto Rico in May 2010. Awarded to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, the grant is funding temporary jobs filled by eligible dislocated workers assigned to recovery efforts.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $500,000 National Emergency Grant to provide an estimated 500 jobless workers in West Virginia with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $202,395 National Emergency Grant to assist about 70 workers affected by the closure of a Whirlpool Corp. manufacturing facility in Benton Harbor, Mich.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $5.5 million under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. In the third round of this program, the department will competitively award four to six grantees between $500,000 and $1.5 million each.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 382,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 387,000. The 4-week moving average was 385,250, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 386,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending March 12, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of the Long-Term Care, Supports and Services Competency Model. Over the past several months, the department's Employment and Training Administration has worked with federal and industry partners to identify the core competencies required of workers who provide long-term care, support and services for individuals with disabilities and older adults in need of assistance.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 385,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 401,000. The 4-week moving average was 386,250, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average of 393,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending March 5, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

Proposed rule seeks to enhance access to jobs, benefits and protections for US workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $8,397,127 grant to assist about 1,500 workers affected by layoffs at General Motors Spring Hill Assembly Plant in Spring Hill, Tenn. Workers dislocated from the plant are covered by the grant, as are workers from four supplier companies: Johnson Controls, MAPA Spontex, Penske Logistics and Premier Manufacturing Services.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two grant competitions for the National Farmworker Jobs Program. One competition will fund organizations that will provide training, the other housing services, to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 397,000, an increase of 26,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 371,000. The 4-week moving average was 392,250, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 389,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending Feb. 26, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,570,907 grant to assist about 400 workers affected by the closing of Sonoco Packaging Products in Devens, Mass., and layoffs at Debbie's Staffing in Ayer, Mass.

"Many of these workers – who have lost jobs through no fault of their own – face significant language and education barriers to new employment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will make available the services they need to re-enter the workforce."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,288,296 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment and retraining services to about 1,000 workers affected by layoffs at Micron Technology Inc. located in Boise, Idaho.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 368,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 388,000. The 4-week moving average was 388,500, a decrease of 12,750 from the previous week's revised average of 401,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending Feb. 19, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate of 3.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $40 million for Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration grants to help individuals with significant barriers to employment obtain the skills they need through work opportunities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $6,116,896 National Emergency Grant to assist about 1,450 workers impacted by 2005 Base Realignment and Closure actions that resulted in multiple military base realignments in Texas. The grant will provide retraining and re-employment services to dislocated workers as well as military spouses.

31 programs in 20 states to share more than $30 million

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an award of $30,696,643 for its YouthBuild programs. Funds will be shared among 31 programs that prepare out-of-school youth across the United States for careers through hands-on construction training, and high school completion and General Educational Development programs.

PHILADELPHIA – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $17 million in funds for two grants to support the employment prospects of young offenders, ages 16 to 24, in high-poverty, high-crime communities.

"Our nation's young people are one of our greatest resources," said Secretary Solis. "Helping to improve the job prospects of young offenders is one of the best ways to reduce recidivism while strengthening America's future."

PHILADELPHIA – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a solicitation for grant applications for the national Career Pathways Innovation Fund Grant Program. Over the next year, the department will award approximately $122 million through this program, including $65 million for health care-focused projects, and intends to fund 40 to 50 grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million each.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an $11,267,940 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts following heavy storms that caused high winds and excessive precipitation throughout California from mid-December 2010 through early January 2011.