Funding available for employment training

In an effort to help unemployed workers rejoin the job market, the U.S. Department of Labor has made $150 million available to states to help develop employment and training services that focus on enhanced regional and industry-specific collaborations.

Funding is through the new Sector Partnerships National Emergency Grant program. Sector partnerships are employer-driven partnerships of industry, education and training and other stakeholders that focus on the workforce needs of key industries in a regional labor market. This initiative will encourage the development of training strategies based on these partnerships to better address regional workforce needs. The funding will be used to help states offer new services such as regional sector planning, enhanced career services to dislocated workers and work-based training opportunities.

Grants will range from $500,000 to $7 million, and all states, territories and federally-recognized tribes are eligible to apply for funding. Applications must be received by May 29 to be considered.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor