US Department of Labor provides grant increment to continue re-employment, training services for laid-off California workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $17,171,188 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to more than 4,700 workers affected by layoffs from private and public sector employers in Central and Southern California.

"As our economy continues to recover, these workers still need help to find good jobs in a challenging employment market," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "This Labor Department grant will provide training and other services to help them have a chance to succeed in their local job markets."

The increment is being awarded to the South Bay Workforce Investment Consortium Inc. for the continuation of services including skills assessment, basic skills training, individual career counseling and occupational skills training to prepare eligible workers for strong local industries such as accounting, building trades, green jobs, health care, office administration and warehousing.

On June 30, 2011, a grant was approved by the Labor Department for up to $45,080,077, with $18,030,129 released initially to serve these workers. Today's increment of $17,171,188 brings the total awarded to date to $35,201,317.

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/.