Secretary Solis and Congressman Clay Announce Recovery Act Grants to Retrain Displaced Workers
UAW Labor Employment & Training Corporation to Receive $3.2 Million to Retrain Laid-Off Autoworkers for Green Jobs

-Washington, D.C.- U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) MO-1 announced today that the UAW Labor Employment & Training Corporation will receive a $3.2 million Recovery Act grant to retrained displaced St. Louis area auto workers for green jobs in the energy and manufacturing sectors. In a conference call with media this morning, Congressman Clay praised President Obama and the Secretary for their leadership in worker retraining.

In his statement, the Congressman said, "I want to personally thank President Obama and Secretary Solis for their leadership in finally making worker retraining a serious national priority, instead of just an after-thought. In my district, we have thousands of laid-off skilled trades people who have tremendous talent. We have autoworkers, sheet metal workers, and many other union craftsmen who are among the most skilled and productive workers in the world. They want to go back to work, and this retraining will help them get there. I'm also really pleased to see the broad community partnership that is part of this project, drawn from across our region and from labor, government and the business community. One of the goals of the Recovery Act is to help displaced workers transition to new areas that are going to be part of the 21st Century green economy that will drive job growth. These two grants reaffirm that commitment and I know they will help families create a more secure future for themselves, and for our country. The President, Secretary Solis and I agree that our skilled manufacturing base is a precious national asset that America cannot afford to lose."

In addition to the grant to retrain laid-off autoworkers, Secretary Solis and Congressman Clay also announced a $4.9 million national Recovery Act grant that has been awarded to the Sheet Metal Workers International Association and their local affiliates to retain displaced workers to retrofit older buildings and homes to make them more energy efficient. That will include worker retraining in St. Louis and East St. Louis.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029