To Aid Workers Displaced by Pandemic, Department of Labor Adds $90M in Grants
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The U.S. Department of Labor added an additional $90 million in grant money to help boost the employment prospects of various groups of Americans impacted by the COVID-19.
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In a statement issued on Thursday, the DOL said the extra funds will be used to provide reemployment opportunities for displaced workers, historically marginalized communities or groups, and those unemployed for an extended period or who have used up their unemployment insurance or other pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs.
The investment more than doubles the initial $43 million in funding that was originally announced in June. The grants — officially called CAREER National Dislocated Worker Grants — are administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration.
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“By doubling down on these critical investments, the Department of Labor reinforces its commitment to invest in strategies to help American workers get the services and training they need to secure quality jobs as our economy recovers,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Suzi LeVine. “These grants focus on local innovation and put resources in our communities to ensure the workers most impacted by the pandemic get reemployment support to ensure an equitable recovery.”
These kinds of programs could prove particularly beneficial to low-wage workers who still haven’t been able to find employment despite recent improvements in the nation’s overall job market.
Jobs for workers with annual incomes below $27,000 were down about 22% as of July 23 compared with mid-January 2020, according to data from Opportunity Insights, an economic research initiative based at Harvard University. In contrast, workers who make more than $60,000 a year experienced 10% job growth over the same time period, while those who earn $27,000 to $60,000 saw job growth of more than 3%.
Read: Jobless Insurance Claims Finally Fall To Pandemic LowLearn: Are ‘Bridge Jobs’ a Good Idea To Cover Career Gaps?
People seeking CAREER National Dislocated Worker Grants can apply through Aug. 31 and choose one of two types of required grant activities:
- Delivering comprehensive workforce services, including career, training and supportive services to help participants gain employment.
- Purchasing, building or expanding virtual technology platforms, software systems or services for job search, career guidance, training or other allowable activities.
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Last updated: August 20, 2021
