WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $126,750,124 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Maryland. Maryland qualified for its full share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by adding new provisions to its UI law that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers and individuals who are upgrading their skills.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 444,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 451,000. The 4-week moving average was 458,500, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average of 463,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending April 24, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,527,108 grant to continue to assist about 1,789 dislocated workers currently receiving intensive services and training from the state of Minnesota, as well as to serve those on waiting lists due to statewide funding shortages.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $459,844 grant to assist about 80 workers affected by layoffs at Cleanpak International Inc. in Clackamas, Ore.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,635,901 grant to assist about 613 workers affected by layoffs at Northwest Airlines in Eagan, Minn.

"Workers deserve an opportunity to pursue training and employment services after losing a job through no fault of their own," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will help Minnesotans impacted by airline industry layoffs to find good jobs in emerging industries, and it will bolster both the state and national economy."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced the release of an updated version of the Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $7.4 million in additional funding to nine high schools that have been deemed persistently dangerous by state educational agencies.

"Every good job begins with a good education, and all students deserve to pursue that education in a safe environment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These grants will promote the type of learning environment that will help get students on the track to personal and professional success.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 448,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 459,000. The 4-week moving average was 462,500, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 461,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending April 17, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 4,700 workers from companies in 12 states – Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,234,762 grant to assist about 200 workers affected by layoffs at ATK Launch Systems in Corinne, Utah.

The planned retirement of the space shuttle is already having negative impacts on workers around the country, including these individuals in Utah, said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. This grant will ensure that that these aerospace workers will receive the training and services needed to keep them at the forefront of emerging industries.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $1.3 million National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue clean-up and recovery efforts from storms that occurred in Indiana in 2008.

"Indiana is still in the midst of recovering from the terrible storms that struck the state in the summer of 2008," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Additional funding announced today will help support temporary jobs for Hoosiers impacted by these storms."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $16,571,738 National Emergency Grant increment to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the tsunami that struck American Samoa on Sept. 29, 2009.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 456,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 480,000. The 4-week moving average was 460,250, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average of 457,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending April 10, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate of 3.7 percent.

WASHINGTON – The Muhlenberg Job Corps Center of Greenville, Ky., today received the first ever "Earth Day, Every Day" National Green Center Recognition Award from Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in an Earth Day 40th anniversary ceremony at the U.S. Department of Labor.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 5,500 workers from companies in 13 states – California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $3,531,000 National Emergency Grant increment to Indiana to provide services to about 1,040 workers affected by mass layoffs in the recreational vehicle industry across the state.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $465,204 grant to assist about 79 workers affected by layoffs at the Weyerhaeuser Co.'s Warrenton Sawmill in Warrenton, Ore.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 484,000, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 460,000. The 4-week moving average was 457,750, an increase of 7,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 450,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending April 3, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $50 million in funding for 33 states and the District of Columbia to implement re-employment and eligibility assessments for beneficiaries of unemployment insurance.

Six states are receiving grants for the first time, while 27 states and the District of Columbia are being awarded additional funds to continue their initiatives. The funds will be used to conduct in-person assessments in One-Stop Career Centers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 3,000 workers from companies in nine states – Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.