WASHINGTON – Northern California paid a hefty toll for storms that brought heavy rain and snow in January 2017. The overabundance of moisture led to flooding and mudslides, the downing of large numbers of trees and power lines, and mass evacuations.

The harsh weather also caused the region’s Lake Oroville to rise above flood levels, damaging the spillway of the nation’s tallest dam and leading to the evacuation of more than 180,000 residents. Roads, public parks and other infrastructure also suffered severe and extensive damage.

WASHINGTON – Young adults and adults who exit correctional systems have numerous and diverse challenges that hinder their ability to enter the workforce and achieve successful reentry into their community. Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced $66 million in available funding to organizations to develop or expand programs to strengthen access to opportunity for these individuals.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. – The Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center has launched a Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Program at William Jewell College in partnership with Fresh Ideas, a Missouri-based food-service provider.

The apprenticeship designation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship allows culinary arts students at the Job Corps center to obtain industry credentials and improve their culinary skills through valuable hands-on training programs with local employers.

DENISON, Iowa – The Denison Job Corps Center has launched a Certified Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship Program that will give its students hands-on training and better prepare them for jobs in health care.

The designation by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship allows the center’s CNA students to obtain a certification accepted at any Iowa hospital, nursing home or care center.

In the week ending March 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 241,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 243,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,250, an increase of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 236,500.

What: The U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of $497,000 in funding to serve Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Native youth and young adults, ages 14-24, to develop skills needed for high-growth, in-demand occupations and industries.

These grants are designed specifically to provide skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields. They aim to increase Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native enrollment in STEM-related certificate and degree programs, as well as provide education mentoring programs and work experience in STEM-related professions.

In the week ending March 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 243,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 236,500, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 234,250.

WASHINGTON – For many of our nation’s at-risk youth, getting educated and starting a successful career are goals often out of reach. Across the U.S., YouthBuild programs seek to help these young people reach their full potential by providing critical job skills in construction to help propel them towards professional success.

State: Iowa

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Incremental Amount Awarded: $691,693

Total Funds Awarded to Date: $1,728,979

Funding Awarded to: Iowa Workforce Development

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 650

In the week ending February 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 223,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 31, 1973 when it was 222,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 244,000 to 242,000. The 4-week moving average was 234,250, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 14, 1973 when it was 232,750. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 241,000 to 240,500.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. – The Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy in Sedro-Woolley is now accepting enrollment applications.  A demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, the academy will provide students with opportunities to earn college credits and industry-recognized credentials in health care and information technology.

In the week ending February 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 244,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 239,000 to 238,000. The 4-week moving average was 241,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since July 21, 1973 when it was 239,500. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 245,250 to 245,000.

State: Kentucky

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Award Amount Approved: $1,989,194

Initial Amount Released: $1,091,153

Funding Awarded to: Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 175

In the week ending February 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 239,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 234,000. The 4-week moving average was 245,250, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 244,250 to 244,750.

In the week ending February 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 234,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 246,000. The 4-week moving average was 244,250, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 248,000. This is the lowest level for this average since November 3, 1973 when it was 244,000.

State: Washington

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant supplemental

Supplemental Amount Approved: $2,000,000

Total Funds Awarded: $10,086,385

Funding Awarded to: Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 2,100

In the week ending January 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 246,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 259,000 to 260,000. The 4-week moving average was 248,000, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 245,500 to 245,750.

In the week ending January 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 259,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 234,000 to 237,000. The 4-week moving average was 245,500, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since November 3, 1973 when it was 244,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 246,750 to 247,500.

State: Wyoming

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Award Amount Approved: $2,000,000

Initial Amount Released: $1,080,465

Funding Awarded to: Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 140

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it has signed an agreement with Amazon to establish a registered apprenticeship program to train veterans for in-demand technical careers at the online technology giant.

Deputy U.S. Secretary of Labor Chris Lu and Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition at Amazon Web Services Ardine Williams joined in a ceremony at the department’s national headquarters to mark the occasion.