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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information may be out of date.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 a grant for up to
$3.4 million to assist approximately 740 dislocated defense-related workers in
Rhode Island, Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich announced today during a visit
to Providence. The grant is the largest ever awarded Rhode Island for worker
retraining under the Clinton Administration.
"There is a need to lend whatever assistance we can to
workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own," Reich said. "By
providing training and support services we hasten their return to work and
improve the skills of those threatened with layoffs. This is what keeps us
competitive in the world's labor market."
The funding will be used to assist workers laid off from
the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in North Kingston. The dislocations
are a result of defense downsizing and the subsequent impact on the submarine
construction program. In an earlier phase of company downsizing, the department
awarded $1.8 million in defense diversification program funds to assist 606
General Dynamics workers.
The grant, authorized under the Job Training Partnership
Act (JTPA), will provide a number of services including assessment, counseling,
job-search assistance, job development and placement, basic skills training,
occupational classroom training, on-the-job training, entrepreneurial training
and supportive services. The supportive services may include child care and
transportation assistance.
The dislocated worker program is a comprehensive retraining
approach to help workers who have been, or are about to be laid off for reasons
such as technological change, foreign competition or government actions.
Generally 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information may be out of date.
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