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ETA News Release: [09/14/2005]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: 202-693-4676
Release Number: 05-1702-NAT

U.S. Labor Department Announces $12 Million in Training Grants To Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas

Funds Will Train Workers for Jobs in Repair and Recovery Efforts

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $12 million in grants to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to train workers for jobs critical to the economic recovery of the Gulf region. Each state will receive funds to train workers in the following industries: construction, energy, health care, transportation and the safety-security sector.

“We want to help workers impacted by Hurricane Katrina to get back to work as quickly as possible. In the aftermath of Katrina, there will be thousands of new jobs created to help in the recovery and rebuilding of communities,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “The $12 million in training grants will help workers get the training they need to access the jobs that are critical to restoring the Gulf Coast region.”

Funding will be used for short-term training that provides a quick return to employment, as well as career paths for participating individuals using community college programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials, certifications, licenses and degrees.

“Community colleges have reached out to victims and evacuees, offering to help rebuild lives and careers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “These grants will link employers with jobs to community college skills development programs to help those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.”

The public workforce investment system will provide referral assistance to place trainees in jobs where there is a critical need and be directly involved in strategic hiring partnerships with employers in affected areas.

These grants are being awarded as part of the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative. For more information, please visit www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative. For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.