PHILADELPHIA – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a solicitation for grant applications for the national Career Pathways Innovation Fund Grant Program. Over the next year, the department will award approximately $122 million through this program, including $65 million for health care-focused projects, and intends to fund 40 to 50 grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million each.

PHILADELPHIA – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $17 million in funds for two grants to support the employment prospects of young offenders, ages 16 to 24, in high-poverty, high-crime communities.

"Our nation's young people are one of our greatest resources," said Secretary Solis. "Helping to improve the job prospects of young offenders is one of the best ways to reduce recidivism while strengthening America's future."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 391,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 413,000. The 4-week moving average was 402,000, a decrease of 16,500 from the previous week's revised average of 418,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending Feb. 12, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an $11,267,940 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts following heavy storms that caused high winds and excessive precipitation throughout California from mid-December 2010 through early January 2011.

Funds also will allow state to upgrade existing benefit payment system

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $744,000 grant to provide partial premium payments for health insurance coverage to about 150 jobless workers in New Hampshire. Funds also will be used to upgrade the state's existing benefit payment system.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the Green Jobs Innovation Fund competition to support opportunities for workers to receive job training in green industry sectors and occupations. Through this competition, the department will award approximately $40 million to support five to eight grantees with awards ranging from $5 million to $8 million each. Eligible applicants will include national and statewide organizations with local affiliates that have existing career training programs and will benefit a minimum of six communities per grant.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 410,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 385,000. The 4-week moving average was 417,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 416,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.1 percent for the week ending Feb. 5, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,883,709 grant to assist about 1,000 workers affected by layoffs and closures at 21 companies in multiple industries, including three auto suppliers, located throughout Kentucky.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $11.7 million in grant funds to serve adult offenders who are returning from incarceration to high-poverty, high-crime communities. The purpose of these grants is to provide an employment-centered approach to reintegration that improves long-term labor market prospects for ex-offenders.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 383,000, a decrease of 36,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 419,000. The 4-week moving average was 415,500, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised average of 431,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.1 percent for the week ending Jan. 29, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.1 percent.

TOLEDO, Ohio – While in Ohio today, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a $2,932,835 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide services to an additional 729 workers affected by layoffs at Wilmington Air Park in Wilmington, Ohio. Following an initial grant in November 2008 and one other previous award of supplemental funding with dislocated workers added as more layoffs occurred, a total of approximately 2,360 individuals now will be served.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $20 million in grants through its Civic Justice Corps program. Projects funded through these grants will help juvenile offenders gain valuable jobs skills, and participants will demonstrate accountability for their actions through community service.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 415,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 457,000. The 4-week moving average was 430,500, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 429,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.1 percent for the week ending Jan. 22, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.2 percent.

New online tool will help young adults, students, first-time workers and those returning to workforce explore careers, find jobs

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today unveiled a new online tool called My Next Move. The tool is aimed at providing jobseekers with information on more than 900 occupations, as well as local job openings and training opportunities in a simple, user-friendly format.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $707,096 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide services to about 600 workers affected by the closure of the Taylor, Bean and Whitaker Mortgage Corp. and its subsidiary companies.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,179,312 increment to continue providing assistance to about 500 workers affected by layoffs from multiple companies in the construction and manufacturing industries in central and southeastern Texas.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,166,729 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide services to about 1,350 workers affected by layoffs and plant closures occurring within the manufacturing sector in northeastern Wisconsin.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 454,000, an increase of 51,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 403,000. The 4-week moving average was 428,750, an increase of 15,750 from the previous week's revised average of 413,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.2 percent for the week ending Jan. 15, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $4,840,359 National Emergency Grant to assist about 825 military spouses and civilian defense workers impacted by a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure action that resulted in the creation of Joint Base Lewis McChord in the state of Washington.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 404,000, a decrease of 37,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 441,000. The 4-week moving average was 411,750, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 415,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.1 percent for the week ending Jan. 8, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.1 percent.