US Department of Labor awards grant to assist workers affected by layoffs in California

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $45,080,077 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 5,880 workers affected by layoffs from a number of private and public sector employers located in 20 California counties.

"The economy of California has been hit especially hard by the recession, impacting both public and private sector workers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will give them access to re-employment and retraining services for jobs in growing sectors of the state's economy."

Services provided include skills assessment, basic skills training, individual career counseling and occupational skills training to prepare the workers for employment in strong local industries, including accounting, building trades, green jobs, health care, office administration and warehousing.

Awarded to the South Bay Workforce Investment Consortium Inc., this grant will be operated by 21 organizations: the Anaheim Workforce Investment Board; the City of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board; the County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board; the Foothill Workforce Investment Board; the Greater Long Beach Workforce Investment Board; the Kern, Inyo and Mono Workforce Investment Board; the Kings County Workforce Investment Board; the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board; the Monterey County Workforce Investment Board; the North Central Counties Consortium; the Orange County Workforce Investment Board; the Richmond Workforce Investment Board; the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency; the San Benito County One-Stop Career Center; the Santa Ana Workforce Investment Board; the South Bay Workforce Investment Board; the Stanislaus Alliance Worknet; the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County; the Workforce Investment Board of Merced County; the Workforce Investment Board of San Joaquin County; and the Workforce Investment Board of San Luis Obispo County.

Of the $45,080,077 announced today, $18,030,129 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the grantee demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.