ETA News Release: [October 20, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post or Chad Aleshire
Phone Number: 202-693-3984 or 202-693-2703
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Awards Knoxville, Tenn., Group Nearly $219,000 to Train Older Workers
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $218,778 grant to the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee to provide second-career training for low-income older workers in Tennessee. Today's announcement is part of a $2 million effort under the Department's Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
"The Labor Department's program for seniors has thousands of success stories across the country, which shows the immeasurable value of America's older workforce," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "These grants, totaling $2 million, will connect mature workers with the employment and training resources they need to successfully transition into new careers."
This award of nearly $219,000 will allow the grantee to provide 80 unemployed, low-income workers over the age of 55 with basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of computer training through the Pellissippi State Technical Community College's Adult Basic Education Program. The program will be adapted to the needs of older workers, preparing them for flex-time and job sharing arrangements. Participants will also be provided workshops in job readiness resume writing and interviewing and will get financial assistance with clothing and medications.
"The Department of Labor is committed to helping all Americans access the tools they need to stay competitive in our changing workforce," said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "We want to build on our success and continue preparing senior workers with the skills employers need as our economy continues to change and grow."
For more than 30 years, SCSEP has served the training and job placement needs of older workers by working in partnership with national organizations and state and local agencies that provide services to senior constituencies. For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.
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