ETA News Release: [October 1, 2007]
Contact Name: Jennifer Coxe and Matthew Faraci
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 (202) 693-5052

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the release of more than $44 million to assist states in providing career training as well as job search and relocation assistance to U.S. workers who lose their jobs for reasons related to trade.

“This $44 million targeted to 15 states will help workers access skills training, job search assistance and relocation services to build new careers in high growth industry sectors,” said Secretary Chao.

The funds were drawn from remaining fiscal year 2007 resources, which have been maintained in a reserve account set up in fiscal year 2004 by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. The department is releasing the $44 million remaining to15 states that have the highest TAA-related expenditures, and requested information systems upgrades will go forward in Colorado, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. Over the past four years, nearly $179 million in leftover funds have been released to the states for aiding trade-impacted workers.

Funds will be distributed immediately along with initial payments for fiscal year 2008, which begins October 1. Congress annually has allocated approximately $220 million for TAA training. During fiscal year 2004, the Labor Department’s Employment and Training Administration implemented a system for disbursing allocations using a formula that aligns resources with state training needs. Seventy-five percent of available TAA funds, or $165 million, is released annually on October 1. Remaining funds are reserved for those qualifying states that experience large, unexpected layoffs during the year. States must spend at least 50 percent of their initial allocation before requesting additional funding from the reserve account.

“Our commitment to the harder hit states will ensure that their communities can work with employers and educators to return their dislocated workers quickly to the workforce,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “As our nation’s workers strive to succeed in the competitive global economy, it is important that those facing trade-related job loss have access to expanded career opportunities.”