The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $10 million in funding to organizations that connect older Americans to career opportunities. Included is $1 million to Vermont Associates for Training & Development, Inc. The Aging Worker Initiative: Strategies for Regional Talent Development is designed to train workers age 55 and older for jobs in high-growth, high-demand industries, and increase the public workforce system's capacity to effectively serve an aging worker population. The department also has launched a unique private-public partnership with the Atlantic Philanthropies, which will invest an additional $3.6 million in this effort.
"Older Americans are an important part of the workforce, and their skills and experience are of tremendous value to our nation," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "With expanded education and training opportunities, such as those made possible through this grant, older workers can broaden their own career opportunities and further contribute to the growth of industries across the United States."
Ten awards of approximately $1 million each have been made to organizations in Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Washington state and Wisconsin. The grants awarded today target older individuals who have been laid off and are seeking re-employment; need to stay in the workforce beyond the traditional retirement age but need training to increase their skills; and face other barriers to employment such as disabilities or low levels of English proficiency.
As part of its investment in the Aging Workforce Initiative, the Atlantic Philanthropies has funded the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning and the Council on Competitiveness to provide assistance to the grantees, and document and disseminate effective strategies to promote career opportunities for older workers.
The ability to develop, attract and retain a well-educated and skilled workforce is a key factor in economic growth. Successful applicants recognized that older workers are a valuable, though often underutilized, labor pool that can meet the workforce needs of regional economies. Currently, 22.6 percent of the U.S. population is over the age of 55.
"In the wake of the economic downturn, the impact of the Aging Worker Initiative is all the more important," said Marcia Smith, senior vice president of the Atlantic Philanthropies. "This effort will create opportunities for older adults to work, support themselves and their families, and contribute to the reinvigoration of their local economies."
To access a fact sheet on the Aging Worker Initiative and information about the individual grantees, visithttp://www.doleta.gov/pdf/AWI_One_Pagers_Fact_Sheet.pdf. For information on the range of Department of Labor employment and training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.
Editors Note: A complete list of award-winning organizations follows this news release.
U.S. Department of Labor Grants to Connect Older
Workers to Career Opportunities
Organization State Industry/Sector Amount
Tecumseh Area Indiana Health care, Advanced $1,000,000
Partnership Manufacturing,
Inc. Information
Technology and
Transportation
Quad Area Louisiana Health care/Science, $1,000,000
Community Construction/Skilled
Action Agency Labor, Energy,
Inc. Transportation,
Architecture/Engineering,
and Financial and
Administrative
Office Support
Coastal Counties Maine Health care and $1,000,000
Workforce Inc. Energy/Green
Construction
Baltimore Maryland Health care $967,005
Country Office
of Workforce
Development
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Demand occupations in $979,400
Workforce multiple industries
Development
Board Inc.
South Central Pennsylvania Health care, $971,000
Workforce Information
Investment Technology and
Board Advanced
Manufacturing
Goodwill Texas Accounting and $999,949
Industries of Financial Services,
Houston Inc. Health care,
Computer Technology,
and Specialized
Construction
Vermont Vermont Information $1,000,000
Associates for Technology, Finance
Training and and Administrative
Development Support Services,
Inc. and Health care
Seattle-King Washington Health care, $1,000,000
County Information
Workforce Technology and Green
Development Jobs
Council
Fox Valley Wisconsin Health care, $1,000,000
Workforce Telecommunications
Development and Manufacturing
Board
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visithttp://www.dol.gov/compliance.
Source: US Dept of Labor. WASHINGTON, July 30, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --