US Department of Labor announces grant increment to continue assisting Louisiana workers impacted by layoffs in multiple industries

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $1,424,500 National Emergency Grant increment to provide re-employment services to approximately 1,100 workers affected by layoffs that occurred in multiple industries throughout Louisiana. Today's increment will continue assistance for the original workers served by the first two increments awarded under this grant as well as provide services to an additional 150 Lockheed Martin workers affected by layoffs resulting from the retirement of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's shuttle program.

"Today's announced funding from the federal government will provide Louisiana workers with job placement assistance, skills training and other re-employment services," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This support will ensure that these workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own are able to prepare for, and obtain, employment in growing local industries."

On Nov. 13, 2008, the Labor Department awarded a grant for up to $7.5 million to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, with $2,031,400 released initially, to provide services to workers laid off in the predominately urban parts of the Region 1 workforce investment area of Louisiana that includes the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and St. Tammany, as well as the Region 7 workforce investment area that includes the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster.

On June 30, 2010, a $2,031,400 increment was awarded to continue services to the original group of workers and to serve about 600 additional workers displaced from Lockheed Martin. Today's increment brings the total funds awarded to date to $5,487,300.

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/.