ETA News Release: [June 30, 2004]
Contact Name: Ed Frank
Phone Number: 202-693-4658
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces Grant to Aid
Dislocated Workers in Arkansas
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary
of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a National Emergency Grant
of $760,547 to provide assistance to workers dislocated from PolyOne
Corporation in Wynne, and RBX Industries in Colt, Arkansas.
"The unemployment rate in Arkansas has dropped from 6.2 to 5.8 percent over the last year, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This is good news, but the President and I want to be sure that no worker is left behind. This grant will provide career planning and employment development assistance to these workers as they prepare for new opportunities."
Awarded to the Arkansas Employment Security Department, the grant will provide assistance to approximately 130 workers affected by the closures at PolyOne Corporation and RBX Industries.
Project participants will receive an array of re-employment services to include individual counseling, career planning, occupational and job readiness training and supportive services that may include child care, transportation assistance and job related certifications, equipment and uniforms.
Workers targeted for assistance were previously employed in various jobs such as clerks, customer service representatives, maintenance mechanics and manufacturing positions. Training services will focus on providing workers with training that is tailored to the needs of the local labor market.
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary's discretionary fund. A grant is awarded after a state submits a request and the grant guidelines have been met.
For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.
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