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ETA News Release: [03/18/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette
Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984
Deputy Labor Secretary Presents National Hispanic
Training Grant
$1.5 Million to Help Hispanic Youth in Florida
Transcend Employment Barriers
MIAMI, Fla.—Deputy Secretary of Labor Steven J. Law today
announced a $1.485 million National Hispanic Worker Initiative training grant
to the Cuban American National Council. This grant is the second one of its
kind under a new nationwide Bush Administration initiative; the new grant will
fund career services to at-risk Hispanic youth at community centers in Orlando
and Miami.
“Hispanics are a vital part of America’s 21st century
workforce, and President Bush wants to ensure that Hispanic workers have equal
access to the American dream,” said Deputy Secretary Law. “This
$1.485 million National Hispanic Worker Initiative grant will help Hispanic
youths in Florida stay in school and get the training they need to find
good-paying jobs.”
The Cuban American National Council plans to enroll Hispanic youth ages
16–21 in the Labor Department-funded ALPHA program—Academic
Leadership and Career Prep for Hispanic American Youth. The goal of the program
is to increase levels of high school graduation and college admissions through
educational and career development training.
Participants will receive services including assessment of basic skills,
tutoring, mentoring and occupational training. They will also receive referrals
to address any medical, housing and substance abuse problems the participants
may face. The Cuban American National Council will partner with One Stop Career
Centers, Job Corps, local employers and institutions of higher education to
implement the program.
The Bush Administration’s National Hispanic Worker Initiative is
designed to focus the resources of the $15 billion public workforce system on
the unique economic and cultural challenges faced by Hispanic workers. Earlier
this week, U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao kicked off the initiative with a
$1.8 million grant to the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (H.E.R.E)
International Union, for the purpose of training Hispanic workers for
hospitality industry careers in Las Vegas, Nev., and Atlantic City, N.J.
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