JEFFERSON CITY- The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) announced that it will be receiving almost $2.2 million in a federal grant to assist approximately 574 workers impacted by automotive industry layoffs in the last eight months of 2008. DED's Division of Workforce Development (DWD) will receive the award and apply it to meet Governor Jay Nixon's vision of training workers for new technology and next-generation jobs to transform Missouri's economy.
"Worker training, especially in the automotive sector, is a major emphasis of this department and administration," said DED Director Linda M. Martinez. "We need to capitalize on grants such as this, as well as the employment and training funds from the federal economic stimulus bill and Governor Nixon's Show Me JOBS Initiative, to help assist Missouri workers and transform Missouri into an economic engine in the midst of this recession."
DWD will be providing the dislocated worker reemployment services funded by the grant through the state's 43 Missouri Career Centers. These services will be provided to the 574 automotive industry supply workers and will include skills assessment, counseling, case management and job search assistance. The grant will cover recently displace workers from businesses in St. Louis, Bridgeton, Fenton, Hannibal, Moberly, Concordia, St. Joseph and the Kansas City area.
The funds come from a U.S. Department of Labor National Emergency Grant, awarded based on specific natural or economic crises faced by a state. "Today's grant will allow affected Missourians to receive skills assessment, training and job search assistance to transition into new occupations within the local area," said department Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. |
