Job training

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Recently, the Small Business Administration (SBA) proposed a series of changes to existing regulations concerning the 8(a) Business Development program. The 8(a) Program provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-asides and sole-source awards. Small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals are eligible for the program.

“This rulemaking -in the first year of the Obama Administration- is proof positive that Administrator Mills is writing a new chapter in SBA history,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.    » read more »

WASHINGTON -- November 13, 2009 -- Today at a press conference at the Green Earth Bio-Fuel of Kentucky site in Estill County, Congressman Ben Chandler announced $984,000 in federal funding to Bluegrass PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment) to fund a grants program, environmental education in schools and communities, and the development of a strategic plan to shape Central Kentucky’s environmental future. Clark, Estill, Garrard, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and Powell Counties in the Sixth Congressional District and Nicholas County are eligible for these programs.    » read more »

Senators say returning soldiers' unemployment rate too high and say benefits should include apprenticeship and job training, not just college

November 12, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, along with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Johanns (R-NE), today introduced the Post-9/11 Veterans’ Job Training Act to include job training and apprenticeship opportunities for veterans who have served our country since the attacks of September 11, 2001.    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) as well as Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) sent a letter last night urging Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to approve the State of California’s request for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) facility.

NUMMI workers would become eligible for job training, job search and relocation assistance, and tax credits to cover health insurance costs.

The text of the letter follows:

November 12, 2009

The Honorable Hilda Solis

Secretary of Labor
U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20210

Dear Secretary Solis:    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- AMES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced that the Iowa Transportation Commission today approved a Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Local Development grant application submitted by the city of Grimes. The funding is part of the Culver/Judge Administration’s I-JOBS initiative.

“This transportation project in Grimes is part of our state’s work to recover from this nationwide recession,” Governor Culver said. “The I-JOBS transportation funds approved today are supporting infrastructure needs in the Grimes community, while helping to create good jobs for Iowans and build a brighter future for our state.”    » read more »

Honors Veterans at Los Angeles National Cemetery, Issues Proclamation for Veterans Day

11/11/2009 -- Honoring the service of California’s brave servicemen and women, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today visited the Los Angeles National Cemetery, where he spoke at the Veteran’s Day Program. While there he announced that $5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) job training grants have been awarded by the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) ensuring that more than 1,400 former members of the military will receive job training, employment and mental health services, as part of the Governor’s continuing veteran’s jobs initiative.    » read more »

ELGIN, Minn, Nov. 3, 2009 – The USDA today announced the award of more than $17 million in grants to 29 institutions to address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers and enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.

"Beginning farmers and ranchers face unique challenges and need educational and training programs to enhance their profitability and long term sustainability," Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said. "The training and education provided through these grants will help ensure the success of the next generation of farmers and ranchers as they work to feed people in their local communities and throughout the world."    » read more »

Governor Rendell Announces Application for $5 Million Federal Recovery Act Grant to Train, Place Health Care Workers

Oct. 19, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today said the commonwealth’s application for a $5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant will help provide training and placement services for approximately 1,430 Pennsylvanians seeking careers in health care.

“To help ensure that Pennsylvanians have access to the high-quality care they deserve, our workforce must have a greater number of highly skilled health care workers,” Governor Rendell said. “Health care is among our most important industries and it is adding jobs – even during this recession.”    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- EVERETT – Gov. Chris Gregoire today joined leaders in the aerospace industry, Snohomish County elected officials and community college presidents to announce $1.5 million in Workforce Investment Act funds to support the state’s aerospace training programs. Gregoire made the announcement at Everett Community College’s Aviation Maintenance and Technical School at Paine Field.

“We know we have two fundamental challenges in keeping our competitive edge in the aerospace industry,” Gregoire said. “We have to recruit new workers, and we have to make sure both our current and incoming workers have cutting-edge skills. To accomplish that, we must invest in our education and training system.”

Of the $1.5 million for aerospace training programs:    » read more »

In radio address, governor says program achieves goal 10 months ahead of schedule

October 16, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today celebrated a milestone in the state's No Worker Left Behind program: more than 100,000 people have now enrolled in the job-training program.

"We launched No Worker Left Behind in August 2007 as part of our plan to transform Michigan's economy," Granholm said. "No Worker Left Behind provides qualifying participants two years of free tuition up to $10,000 at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program."    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar and Rep. Brad Ellsworth have secured $1,000,000 for advanced manufacturing and engineering equipment at the University of Southern Indiana (USI). Congress signed-off on the funding as part of the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill this week.

"The long-term strength of Indiana's economy rests on maintaining a well-trained workforce," said Ellsworth. "These funds will help ensure USI graduates have the cutting-edge training and skills Indiana businesses need to recover and compete in the global economy."    » read more »

Section 3 designed to stimulate employment and economic development in local communities

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today launched a new campaign to increase hiring of low-income individuals and public housing residents by state and local governments that receive HUD funds.

HUD is contacting more than 3,000 state and local agencies, including public housing authorities, to document their efforts to hire low-income individuals and to contract with companies who hire them. Agencies that fail to comply may be debarred, suspended, or denied participation in HUD programs.    » read more »

Microsoft to provide 13,500 vouchers to the citizens of Maryland to provide free technology training

BALTIMORE, MD (October 14, 2009) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that Maryland will join forces with Microsoft in an innovative, public-private partnership to provide free technology training to displaced workers.

The Governor joined Mayor Sheila Dixon, Maryland Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Alexander Sanchez, and Fred Humphries, Microsoft Managing Director, US Government Affairs at the Baltimore Eastside Career Center to applaud the unique partnership labeled “Microsoft Elevate America.”    » read more »

10/02/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the 34 recipients of $27 million in grants jump-starting the California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program (CEWTP), the largest state-sponsored green jobs training program in the nation announced by the Governor on August 31, 2009.

Under the this first phase of the program, anticipated to train 5,600 participants, workers will be prepared for hands-on jobs, such as installing solar panels and maintaining electric vehicles to computer programming and researching fuel cell technologies, to help develop the state’s low-carbon, clean energy economy of tomorrow.    » read more »

Gov. Nixon announces Noranda returning to full capacity, has rehired 38 laid-off workers

September 30, 2009 -- NEW MADRID, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today visited the Noranda Aluminum plant in New Madrid to announce that the plant has rehired 38 laid-off workers and is returning to full production, following months of reduced capacity caused by January's ice storm. The Governor also unveiled the initial components of an $8 million economic development package that will help keep nearly 900 Noranda jobs in the Bootheel.    » read more »