US Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis announces $75 million to provide workers affected by layoffs with on-the-job training opportunities

DENVER – During a visit to Denver, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced $75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds for On-the-Job Training, National Emergency Grants to 41 states, the District of Columbia and three federally recognized Native American tribes. These resources will be used to help Americans get back to work, especially in geographic areas disproportionately impacted by the recession.

"Today's grants will help dislocated workers across the country learn while they earn. For most that will mean not just employment, but also the chance to receive training that allows them to upgrade their skills," said Secretary Solis. "As our economic recovery takes hold, this investment presents a win-win scenario. After all, workers are not the only ones who benefit from the approach. On-the-job training programs also offer tremendous returns for employers who commit time and other resources to training and hiring employees."

On-the-Job Training Grants offer a method to jump start re-employment for dislocated workers experiencing prolonged unemployment by enabling employers to create training and job opportunities for these individuals. Participants will be given a chance to "earn and learn," which means they will develop applicable occupational skills while earning a paycheck. Employers participating in these on-the-job training projects will receive partial reimbursement to offset the extraordinary cost of training workers. The projects will help workers become proficient in needed skills more quickly, which will serve to encourage employers to hire workers sooner than perhaps initially planned, facilitating the private sector hiring of well-qualified individuals to contribute to their bottom line and spur economic recovery.

Today's awards distribute these resources across the country, not only to deliver on-the-job training services to thousands of unemployed Americans, but also to build the capacity of the workforce investment system to engage in this critical training model in the months and years to come to assist in economic recovery.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's Dislocated Worker National Reserve and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information about the grants announced today, visit www.doleta.gov/layoff/Job_Training.cfm

Editor's Note: A chart of grant recipients is below.

On-the-Job Training Grants – Grant recipients include states and federally recognized Native American tribes