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.

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.

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 $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.

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.

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.

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.

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 $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 an $857,225 National Emergency Grant increment to provide employment-related assistance to Massachusetts residents affected by layoffs and closings at 11 companies in Massachusetts and one company in Connecticut representing a variety of industries. This increment will continue services for approximately 330 workers served by an initial increment as well as provide services for an additional 100 workers.

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.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 372,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 387,000. The 4-week moving average was 373,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 376,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.8 percent for the week ending December 24, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 381,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 366,000. The 4-week moving average was 375,000, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average of 380,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending December 17, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

Grants will enhance innovative employment and training programs

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $98.5 million through the Workforce Innovation Fund to support employment and training services. The fund invests in programs that support, evaluate and enhance workforce investment strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations. A solicitation for grant applications will be published in the Dec. 23 edition of the Federal Register.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 364,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 368,000. The 4-week moving average was 380,250, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised average of 388,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.8 percent for the week ending December 10, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $992,586 grant to assist about 180 workers affected by the closure of Solo Cup in North Andover, Mass.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the minimum hourly wage rates that employers must pay H-2A workers in order to ensure that the wages of similarly employed U.S. workers are not adversely affected. These H-2A adverse effect wage rates are calculated for each occupation and location using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual wages rates from its regional Farm Labor Survey of nonfamily field and livestock workers.