WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $15 million grant to provide employment-related assistance to youth in New Orleans as part of the ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts underway throughout Louisiana.

“This $15 million grant will help at risk young people in New Orleans with valuable skills training, educational opportunities and job experience while at the same time participate in the recovery of their communities from Hurricane Katrina,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. 

The grant, awarded to the Louisiana Department of Labor’s Office of Workforce Development, will provide approximately 1,200 temporary jobs to youth with little or no employment history in the most heavily impacted parishes.  Activities will offer affected youth the chance to receive occupational skills training, and the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and receive post-secondary education through area community colleges. 

The state’s comprehensive strategy will offer opportunities for leadership development, and personal transformation activities will be components of the program, as these are important attributes in preparing at-risk youth to succeed in the workplace. Youth also will be engaged in significant work readiness training as well as career exploration activities to ensure that they are prepared for employment, post-secondary education or training.   

The project will be targeted at the following parishes within the Greater New Orleans area: Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and St. Tammany.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information on National Emergency Grants and other Department of Labor employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.