WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that $12 million is available for grants through the Workforce Data Quality Initiative, which will enable states to build or expand longitudinal databases that link workforce and education data to improve understanding about the performance of workforce development programs among those who benefit from and make decisions about them.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $3,145,776 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment assistance to about 600 workers impacted by layoffs at 21 Houston-area companies. The layoffs primarily resulted from the termination of the Space Shuttle Program by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Many of the workers were contractors for the program at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 348,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 361,000. The 4-week moving average was 365,250, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 367,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.7 percent for the week ending February 4, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $30 million in grants through its Training and Service Learning program for projects to help young adult ex-offenders gain valuable jobs skills while giving back to their communities through service.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has issued a final rule implementing the YouthBuild Transfer Act of 2006, which establishes the program within the Labor Department.

Rule aims to make jobs more accessible to US workers and strengthen worker protections

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and its Wage and Hour Division today announced a final rule to improve the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program. The rule, to be published in the Feb. 21 edition of the Federal Register, includes changes to several aspects of the program to ensure that U.S. workers receive greater access to jobs and strengthens worker protections.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 358,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 373,000. The 4-week moving average was 366,250, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised average of 377,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.8 percent for the week ending January 28, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $3,058,366 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment services to about 1,450 individuals affected by the realignments and closures of military facilities throughout Texas. These facilities include Fort Bliss in El Paso, Fort Hood in Kileen, the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant and the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, and multiple bases in San Antonio.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 367,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 379,000. The 4-week moving average was 375,750, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 377,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.7 percent for the week ending January 21, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has issued a final rule amending the Senior Community Service Employment Program regulations to allow entry into volunteer work as an additional performance indicator. The rule will be effective on March 1.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 377,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 356,000. The 4-week moving average was 377,500, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 380,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.8 percent for the week ending January 14, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 352,000, a decrease of 50,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 402,000. The 4-week moving average was 379,000, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 382,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.7 percent for the week ending January 7, a decrease of 0.2 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $306,838 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to approximately 150 workers affected by the closure of Ocean Logistics LLC's Dunmore, Pa., facility. Ocean Logistics LLC is a warehousing and distribution service for general merchandise as well as health and beauty items. The layoffs occurred in September and October 2011.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers. They will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and floods in April and May 2011 that affected southeastern Ohio.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of $20.6 million in grant funds to assist adult former offenders who are returning to their communities after serving time in justice facilities. The U.S. Department of Labor expects to award 17 grants of approximately $1.21 million each to organizations that will provide these individuals with employment-focused services and support.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 399,000, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 375,000. The 4-week moving average was 381,750, an increase of 7,750 from the previous week's revised average of 374,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending December 31, unchanged from the prior week's revised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $165,000 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment and training services to about 175 workers affected by the closure of Joe's Sports, Outdoor, Auto/Truck and More based in Wilsonville, Ore. The company, known as Joe's, supplied sporting goods, outdoor equipment, automotive supplies and general merchandise until it closed its corporate offices, distribution center and retail stores in 2009.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant supplemental award, in the form of a National Emergency Grant, to provide an estimated 1,175 additional jobless workers in North Carolina with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage. The state qualified for funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $738,179 grant to assist about 320 workers affected by layoffs from Evergreen Solar Inc. in Devens and Marlborough, Mass., and two staffing companies, Advantage Technical Resourcing and Kelly Services.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $618,597 incremental award of a National Emergency Grant to provide job placement, skills training and other re-employment services for workers affected by layoffs at ATK Launch Systems in Corrine, Utah.

"The federal grant announced today will provide continued job placement assistance, skills training and other re-employment services to these Utah workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.