U.S. DOL announces $20 million competition for demonstration projects to assist dislocated workers

On May 16, the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor announced a competition for nearly $20 million in funding to build the skills and employment options for workers who have been dislocated or at risk of dislocation. State workforce agencies that want to get the grant have to compete to design demonstration projects targeting these workers.

“The programs that state workforce agencies devise will let workers vulnerable to joblessness take greater ownership of their careers,” said acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.Proposals may fall into four categories: “Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Dislocated Workers” programs will help individuals launch small businesses. “Getting Ahead of the Curve: Raising Educational/Skill Levels of Workers in Declining Industries” projects will develop strategies to upgrade the career skills of workers who are likely to face unemployment. “Innovative Adult Learning Models for Dislocated Workers” projects will identify new and innovative ways to train unemployed workers. Efforts aimed at “Preventing Dislocations of TANF Recipients Moving Into Entry Level Jobs Subject to Economic Churn” will help former TANF recipients maintain employment and enter or advance within high-growth industries. (“TANF” stands for “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.”)
“The four categories outlined in this announcement offer state workforce agencies an opportunity to tailor programs that address their particular workforce needs,” said Orrell.
Each state workforce agency can only submit a single application under one of the four categories. To deliver services with sufficient depth, each application must detail partnerships that include employers, education and training providers, faith-based, community, and philanthropic organizations.This competition will close on June 13, 2008.