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OPA News Release: [03/20/2003]
Contact Name: Elissa Pruett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

U.S. Department of Labor Teams up with Kmart to Connect Kmart Employees with Job Opportunities

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has teamed up with Kmart Corporation to help the company’s laid-off workers find their way back into the workforce, according to Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.

On Jan. 14, 2003, Kmart Corporation announced its intention to close more than 300 under-performing stores nationwide as part of its Chapter 11 financial reorganization. Over the next several months, these store closings will affect an estimated 35,000 Kmart employees.

“President Bush has made getting assistance to unemployed workers one of his top economic priorities,” said DeRocco. “We want to do all we can to eliminate or minimize any unemployed worker’s time without a job.”

Kmart officials contacted the Employment and Training Administration seeking assistance to connect Kmart’s affected associates to state and local workforce services. “Rapid Response” teams throughout the country immediately provided a variety of services and information about training assistance, pension benefits, and unemployment insurance.

The teams also worked to connect affected Kmart workers with the 1,900 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide that assist employers with recruitment, training, and retention of skilled workers and job seekers in qualifying for and securing good jobs at good wages.

In a video message being broadcast to all Kmart stores nationwide, DeRocco outlined how laid-off Kmart associates can connect with resources to help with their job search. “The first step in your job search is to contact your local One-Stop Career Center,” said DeRocco. “These centers are where hundreds of thousands of employers come to find good workers. We encourage you to start working with these workforce professionals – and the sooner, the better.”

For further information about the services provided by the One-Stop Career Centers, please call the toll-free Help Line at 1-877-US2-JOBS or 1-877-348-0501 (TTY).

To find the nearest One-Stop Career Center, visit America’s Service Locator: www.servicelocator.org.

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