US Department of Labor awards $95.5M in grants to support innovative programs for reskilling, reemploying dislocated workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $95.5 million in funding to support the creation of innovative models of training and employment services that connect workers affected by layoffs to high-growth industries.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, Rapid Reskill Dislocated Worker Grants support 20 projects across 17 states to quickly connect workers affected by layoffs to employment and training services that lead to high-wage, in-demand occupations in industries expected to grow, including domestic manufacturing, aerospace, energy production, construction, and other occupations important to reindustrialization.

Reskill DWG projects are designed to swiftly assess participants’ prior experience and existing skillsets and chart a course to an in-demand occupation or industry. Participants will gain industry-specific skills and credentials to speed their reemployment while projects will develop and share innovative approaches for connecting workers impacted by layoffs with careers in America’s growth industries.

“The Rapid Reskill Grants support our commitment to ensuring displaced workers have the skills they need to pursue the American Dream,” said Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “They also help ensure a workforce for the Golden Age of reindustrialization and empower workers to stay rooted in their hometown.”

Reskill DWGs aim to rapidly place dislocated workers into paid work, whether full-time unsubsidized employment, a Registered Apprenticeship, or other paid, structured on-the-job training in their target occupation or industry within six months of enrollment. Toward that end, these innovative projects incorporate short-term, intensive training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials and skills development aligned with industry-specific or occupational training. 

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide funding assistance to temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels.

Recipients of the Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery Grants are as follows: