In the week ending December 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 235,000, a decrease of 28,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 265,000 to 263,000. The 4-week moving average was 256,750, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 263,000 to 262,500.

State: California

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Initial Amount Approved: $11,000,000

Incremental Amount Awarded: $4,000,000

Funding Awarded to: California Employment Development Department

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 550

In the week ending December 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 265,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 275,000. The 4-week moving average was 263,000, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 263,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor awarded an additional $5.5 million to help youth between the ages of 16 to 21 who are at risk of dropping out of public or alternative high school gain skills to serve their communities in justice careers. Six non-profit organizations received funding for pilot programs that provide at risk youth mentoring and career exploration in justice and emergency services, including police officers, firefighters, lawyers, and paramedics.

In the week ending December 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 275,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 254,000. The 4-week moving average was 263,750, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 257,750.

WASHINGTON – To broaden career opportunities in registered apprenticeships for traditionally under-represented groups, the US Department of Labor today issued a final rule that updates equal employment opportunity requirements.

In the week ending December 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 254,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 258,000. The 4-week moving average was 257,750, an increase of 5,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 252,500.

State: Montana

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Award Amount Approved/Released: $225,000

Funding Awarded to: Montana Department of Labor and Industry

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 50

State: Maryland

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant supplemental

Supplemental Amount Approved: $414,912

Total Funds Awarded: $5,552,067

Funding Awarded to: Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 545

In the week ending December 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 258,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 268,000. The 4-week moving average was 252,500, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 251,500.

In the week ending November 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 268,000, an increase of 17,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 251,000. The 4-week moving average was 251,500, an increase of 500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 251,000.

In the week ending November 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 251,000, an increase of 18,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 235,000 to 233,000. The 4-week moving average was 251,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 253,500 to 253,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $111 million in America’s Promise grants to 23 regional workforce partnerships in 28 states to connect more than 21,000 Americans to education and in-demand jobs.

In the week ending November 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 235,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 254,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since November 24, 1973 when it was 233,000. The 4-week moving average was 253,500, a decrease of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 259,750 to 260,000.

OTTUMWA, Iowa – Southeastern Iowa’s Ottumwa Job Corps Center is now the nation’s first to offer a registered apprenticeship program from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Given by the department’s Office of Apprenticeship, the designation enables the center’s certified nursing assistant students to obtain a nationally recognized advanced certification accepted at any hospital, nursing home or care center in Iowa and transferable to any state in the nation.

WASHINGTON – As Hurricane Matthew traveled along the southeastern U.S. coast from Oct. 7-9,2016, it killed more than 30 people, damaged hundreds of roads and bridges, destroyed farmlands and left many public areas unsafe. Thousands of people found themselves homeless, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

State: Florida

Type of award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Amount approved/awarded: $500,012

Funding awarded to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

Number of workers served: Approximately 25

In the week ending November 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 254,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 265,000. The 4-week moving average was 259,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 257,750 to 258,000.

Washington – Employers, unions, community colleges, and others are hosting hundreds of open houses and other events to commemorate the second annual National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 14-20, 2016. The department’s call to action is to register 600 events to double last year’s number.

In the week ending October 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 265,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 258,000. The 4-week moving average was 257,750, an increase of 4,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 253,000.