skills Developments

Stimulus Package: Training the WorkforceIt is evident by the $5 billion worth of training earmarked for Federal agencies that even President Obama understands the importance of workplace training and the lift it can give to the world economy.
The bill will invest heavily in new technologies, infrastructure projects, and health care. It also calls for investments to help laid off workers get back to work. An important part of the legislation allocates $3.9 billion to the Department of Labor, of which $2.95 billion will be used for training and employment services through FY09.
A significant portion of training funding – $750 million – is being devoted to competitive grants for high growth industries, and $500 million of these funds will invest in projects as part of the new Green Jobs Act.
The majority of the training funds will be allocated through the publicly-funded workforce system. You can access information about how much of these resources are coming to your states and communities by reaching out to the executive director of your local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) or to the manager the local One-Stop Career Center in your community. Information about how to contact your local WIB or One-Stop Career Center may be found at www.servicelocator.org/wibcontacts/.