ETA News Release: [July 14, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $8.5 Million For Transitioning Pennsylvania Workers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a National Emergency Grant to continue helping 1,630 trade-certified workers in Pennsylvania prepare for new jobs. The funds, awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, are an additional installment of $8.5 million, bringing the total award to date to $14.8 million.
"Pennsylvania's unemployment rate has dropped from 5.6 to 5.1 percent over the last year," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This is good news, but the President and I want to be sure that no worker is left behind. This additional $8.5 million grant will continue to provide training and employment services, transportation and relocation expenses so these workers can transition to new jobs."
Today's award will ensure that workers already enrolled in training can complete their coursework and obtain employment. Workers covered are those who applied for Trade Adjustment Assistance from Oct. 1, 2003 through Sept. 30, 2004.
Re-employment services include comprehensive assessment, counseling, career planning, pre-vocational services, case management, follow-up services, occupational and on-the-job training, customized and entrepreneurial training and skills upgrading. Relocation expenses will be provided to participants wishing to consider opportunities elsewhere.
In addition to 104 weeks of occupational training, other funding sources provide additional services to trade-certified workers. These include income support during the two-year training period, a Health Coverage Tax Credit that covers 65 percent of qualified health insurance premiums, and a job search allowance when suitable employment is unavailable in the worker's commuting area.
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance, if elected by a trade-certified worker over 55 years of age, will pay 50 percent of the difference between the worker's old and new wages. If re-employed at less than $50,000 a year within 26 weeks of layoff, the older worker can receive up to $10,000 over a two-year period.
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary's discretionary fund. A grant is awarded after a state submits a request and grant guidelines have been met.
For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.
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