WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today proposed a new rule that would strengthen protections for farm workers in the H-2A program and help prevent abuses that undermine wages and standards for all agricultural workers.

WASHINGTON – To support workforce development programs that prepare young people and help them access good-paying careers, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $14 million in grants to seven organizations in five states to deliver workforce services when youth are out of school.

In the week ending September 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 216,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 228,000 to 229,000. The 4-week moving average was 229,250, a decrease of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 237,500 to 237,750.

WASHINGTON – To help identify and address barriers workers face when accessing state unemployment insurance benefits, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $3 million to the state of Georgia.

In the week ending August 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 228,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 230,000 to 232,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,500, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 236,750 to 237,250. 

WASHINGTON – After severe wildfires swept across the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 8, 2023, the state’s disaster declaration was approved, which cleared the way for federal aid to assist in recovery efforts. To support disaster-relief jobs, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the initial award of $10.5 million to Hawaii.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $65 million in funding to increase community colleges’ ability to provide equitable access to training to meet employers’ and workers’ skill development needs for in-demand industries.

In the week ending August 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 239,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 248,000 to 250,000. The 4-week moving average was 234,250, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 231,000 to 231,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the Apprentice Trailblazer initiative, which will create a national network of apprentices and apprenticeship graduates whose individual stories may inspire career seekers interested in becoming apprentices. 

In the week ending August 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 248,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 227,000. The 4-week moving average was 231,000, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 228,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a partnership with the National Governors Association to bring federal partners, state policy advisors, workforce development boards and agencies, and other policymakers together to support states’ planning processes.

The partnership will take advantage of employment opportunities made possible by the Biden-Harris administration’s historic investments to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and promote economic growth.

WASHINGTON – To support efforts to address Michigan’s continuing opioid crisis, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $1,025,221 for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to fund employment and training services and disaster-relief jobs for workers in 24 of the state’s counties.

In the week ending July 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 221,000. The 4-week moving average was 228,250, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 233,750.

In the week ending July 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 221,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 228,000. The 4-week moving average was 233,750, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 237,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $8,333,334 to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to support continued disaster-relief employment and employment and training services after tornadoes in December 2021 and severe flooding in July 2022.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the initial award of $6.6 million in funding to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to support cleanup and recovery activities after severe storms caused flooding and extensive damage in February 2023.

In the week ending July 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 228,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 237,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,500, a decrease of 9,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 246,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $65 million in grants to 45 states to increase their ability to serve, improve and strategically expand their Registered Apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeships leading to Registered Apprenticeships to enhance the National Apprenticeship system.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $17 million in funding contracts to seven organizations to promote Registered Apprenticeships in emerging industries where they have not been scaled traditionally and to continue to expand in industries where they exist currently.