WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the Apprentice Trailblazer initiative, which will create a national network of apprentices and apprenticeship graduates whose individual stories may inspire career seekers interested in becoming apprentices. 

In the week ending August 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 248,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 227,000. The 4-week moving average was 231,000, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 228,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a partnership with the National Governors Association to bring federal partners, state policy advisors, workforce development boards and agencies, and other policymakers together to support states’ planning processes.

The partnership will take advantage of employment opportunities made possible by the Biden-Harris administration’s historic investments to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and promote economic growth.

WASHINGTON – To support efforts to address Michigan’s continuing opioid crisis, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $1,025,221 for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to fund employment and training services and disaster-relief jobs for workers in 24 of the state’s counties.

In the week ending July 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 221,000. The 4-week moving average was 228,250, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 233,750.

In the week ending July 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 221,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 228,000. The 4-week moving average was 233,750, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 237,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $8,333,334 to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to support continued disaster-relief employment and employment and training services after tornadoes in December 2021 and severe flooding in July 2022.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the initial award of $6.6 million in funding to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to support cleanup and recovery activities after severe storms caused flooding and extensive damage in February 2023.

In the week ending July 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 228,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 237,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,500, a decrease of 9,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 246,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $17 million in funding contracts to seven organizations to promote Registered Apprenticeships in emerging industries where they have not been scaled traditionally and to continue to expand in industries where they exist currently.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $65 million in grants to 45 states to increase their ability to serve, improve and strategically expand their Registered Apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeships leading to Registered Apprenticeships to enhance the National Apprenticeship system.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced three new funding opportunities that will make up to $377 million in grants available to states to strengthen the integrity and resilience of their unemployment insurance programs.

WASHINGTON – To help identify and address barriers workers face regarding access to state unemployment insurance benefits, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $9.5 million in equity grants to Arkansas, Louisiana and Vermont.  

In the week ending July 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 237,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 248,000 to 249,000. The 4-week moving average was 246,750, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 253,250 to 253,500.

WASHINGTON – To support efforts to address Massachusetts’ continuing opioid crisis, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $800,000 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to support employment and training services and disaster-relief jobs for workers in Bristol and Plymouth counties.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $800,000 to Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. to provide continued employment and training services to dislocated workers affected by continuing layoffs in six counties.

In the week ending July 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 248,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 3,000 from 239,000 to 236,000. The 4-week moving average was 253,250, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 750 from 257,500 to 256,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it is seeking nominations for members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship for the 2023-2025 term.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $11.7 million in grants to three organizations to support programs that help youth and young adults in communities affected by violence and poverty to prepare for career success in the labor market.

In the week ending June 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 239,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 264,000 to 265,000. The 4-week moving average was 257,500, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the highest level for this average since November 13, 2021 when it was 260,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 255,750 to 256,000.