|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6871.
The U.S. Department of Labor is providing $4.7 million to
the Washington Employment Security Department to help timber workers who have
lost their jobs, Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich announced today.
"Managing our natural resources is important for the
long-term future of Washington State and the country," Reich said. "However,
workers who lose their jobs because of this will need assistance to prepare for
and find new jobs. I am pleased that we can offer them a full array of
reemployment services so they can remain productive members of the
workforce."
The first grant, for $4.6 million, will assist 900 workers
who have been laid off because of the economic slowdown resulting from reduced
timber harvests. The second grant, for $93,349, will help 30 dislocated workers
start their own businesses. With these grants, a total of $8.2 million has been
allocated this year for timber-related projects.
The grants, authorized under the Job Training Partnership
Act, will provide a number of services including assessment, job search
assistance, remedial education, vocational classroom training and supportive
services such as day care and transportation assistance and emergency health
care. Participants in the second project will also receive entrepreneurial
training and help procuring loans to start small businesses.
The dislocated worker program is a comprehensive approach
to assist workers who have been, or are about to be, laid off for reasons such
as technological change, foreign competition or government actions. In general,
such workers are eligible if they are unlikely to return to their previous
industry or occupation.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
