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ETA News Release: [04/25/2003]
Contact Name: Elissa
Pruett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Bush Administration
Continues Commitment to Aid Dislocated Workers in Virginia’s West
Piedmont
$250,000 Will Determine Job Skills Needed In Region
WASHINGTON—U.S. Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Mason Bishop visited
Martinsville, Va. today to announce a two-phased grant to the West Piedmont
Workforce Investment Board to serve workers who have lost their jobs since
January 2001 due to regional industry closures and mass layoffs. The project
will cover a three-year period—$250,000 is being made available
immediately.
Bishop was joined by Senator John Warner (R-Va.), Congressman Virgil
Goode (R-Va.) and Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Va.) in making the announcement
that demonstrates the Administration’s continued commitment to ensuring
workers in the state can receive the job and skills training they need to find
re-employment.
“This grant utilizes the workforce investment system to prepare
workers for new jobs,” said Bishop. “The goal of the initial $250,000
award is to determine the skills workers will need based on the good,
high-growth jobs available in the area, as well as trends in local economic
development and feedback from the community’s employers.”
The West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board will work cooperatively
with two regional community colleges—Danville Community College and
Patrick Henry Community College—to create new training options for the
region’s workforce. Initial plans for training include a comprehensive
motor sports mechanics program; certification in nursing or dental hygiene; and
training in information technology.
“The President and I are committed to working with Senator Warner,
Senator Allen, Congressman Goode and Congressman Boucher to help
Virginia’s displaced workers have access to the job and skills training
they need to find new re-employment,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine
L. Chao. “We know Virginia’s Congressional delegation will work to
ensure these funds are deployed quickly to help workers in the West Piedmont
area.”
Today’s $250,000 grant will allow the Workforce Investment Board to
work with employers, economic development agencies, chambers of commerce,
workers and others to make a final decision about the kinds of training
programs most likely to lead to job placement in the region.
A second round of grant funds will be made available after successful
completion of the initial phase of the project.
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