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ETA News Release: [05/14/2003]
Dept. of Labor Contact Name: Lorette Post
Dept. of Labor Phone Number: (202) 693-3984
Dept. of Education Contact Name: Jim Bradshaw
Dept. of Education Phone Number: (202) 401-2310

U.S. Education and Labor Departments Announce Incentive Awards Totaling $29.8 Million

Sixteen Eligible States Exceeded Workforce Investment Goals

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced $29.8 million in incentive grants awarded under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Sixteen states exceeded negotiated performance goals in employment, training and education programs to qualify for the grants which must be used on innovative workforce development and education activities.

“Because one unemployed worker is one too many, the President and I want to commend the programs that produce the best results,” said Chao. “Those results translate into more workers returned to the workforce with hope for a promising future.”

Paige said, “It is important that every state set high performance levels for students in academic and career-technical education and work to ensure that all students have a fair opportunity to meet these performance levels.” The Education Secretary added, “This Administration believes that public education has a major responsibility for preparing our students for the challenges of the 21^st century workforce if the country is to continue as the economic and technological leader of the free world.”

Goals states exceeded, including training, retention in employment, and improved literacy levels, were negotiated under three laws—WIA, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The amount of the grants, available to states through June 30, 2005, is based on total training funds received by each state under the three acts.

Eligible states must submit applications within 45 days of publication of the incentive awards announcement in the Federal Register and must provide a description of planned innovative uses for the funds.

NOTE: A list of eligible states and the amount of incentive funds for which each qualifies follows.

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