WASHINGTON — The U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services today issued a Request for Information soliciting feedback to better align federal grants and services in order to develop high-quality career pathways programs for job training participants. This inter-agency collaboration builds on President Obama's focus on job-driven training to improve the federal workforce system for the 21st century.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $2,867,947 National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following the flooding and mudslide that occurred in Snohomish County on March 22. This grant will provide aide to the affected community in Oso, Washington.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,599,600 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to assist New Jersey with completing cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"The recovery work from the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy continues for the people of New Jersey," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This supplemental funding will support the completion of these efforts, while providing temporary work opportunities for those in need of employment."

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of the final $450 million in grants under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative. Over the last three years, these unprecedented investments have helped expand the capacity of the American community college system to provide accessible training programs that connect people to available jobs in growing industries in their communities.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,131,425 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide training and other re-employment services to oystermen to prepare for careers in other industries. Workers eligible for these services are those who participated in the temporary jobs component of this emergency grant, which was provided in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby in June 2012.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,131,425 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide training and other re-employment services to oystermen to prepare for careers in other industries. Workers eligible for these services are those who participated in the temporary jobs component of this emergency grant, which was provided in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby in June 2012.

WASHINGTON — Too few of America's students are meaningfully engaged in their academic experience while in high school, and many high school graduates lack exposure to learning that links their studies in school to future college and career pathways — especially in the critically important fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, today launched the Registered Apprenticeship — College Consortium, a new effort that will allow graduates of Registered Apprenticeship programs to turn their years of rigorous on-the-job and classroom training into college credits toward an associate or bachelor degree.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $1.8 million in grants through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program, an initiative designed to recruit, train and retain women in high-skill occupations, such as advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy, construction and information technology.

Note: Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Seasonal Factors and revised seasonal factors and historical series for CY 2009-2013 for both initial claims and continued claims will be made available April 3, 2014, with the release of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Weekly Claims News Release.

In addition, beginning April 10, 2014, the UI Weekly Claims News Release will be issued under a revised (.pdf) format. The new version of the release will include graphics and tables for additional information and ease of use.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $3,714,908 to the state of Ohio to implement and promote the state's short-time compensation program, a layoff prevention program also known as "work-sharing."

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $3,714,908 to the state of Ohio to implement and promote the state's short-time compensation program, a layoff prevention program also known as "work-sharing."

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $58 million in grant funding through the Workforce Investment Act Section 166 Indian and Native American Program. The purpose of the grants is to improve the academic, occupational and literacy skills of Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian adults and youth, making them more competitive in the workforce.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 320,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 315,000. The 4-week moving average was 327,000, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 330,500.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $256,696 grant to assist approximately 100 workers impacted by layoffs at Lincoln Paper and Tissue LLC located in Lincoln, Maine.

"These layoffs have had a significant impact on an area already suffering from high unemployment," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric M. Seleznow. "This National Emergency Grant will provide the workers affected by these layoffs with the critical services needed in order for them to succeed in finding new employment."

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $44 million in grants through the Face Forward program to provide work-based learning opportunities and support services for youth ages 14 to 24 who have been through the juvenile justice system.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 315,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 324,000. The 4-week moving average was 330,500, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 336,750.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 323,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 349,000. The 4-week moving average was 336,500, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 338,500.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $646,534 National Emergency Grant incremental award to assist with the continuing cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms that affected 40 counties in Illinois between April 16 and May 5, 2013. These funds are being awarded to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and will provide for the continuation of temporary employment for eligible individuals to assist with the cleanup of affected areas.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $275,517 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 90 workers affected by layoffs at Blount International Inc., an outdoor equipment manufacturer located in Milwaukie and Portland, Ore.

"Today's grant will provide these former Blount International workers with re-employment services that are vital to ensuring that they re-enter the Oregon workforce as quickly as possible," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric M. Seleznow.