Baker-Polito Administration Receives $1.9 Million Federal Grant to Help Dislocated Workers in Merrimack Valley

Baker-Polito Administration Receives $1.9 Million Federal Grant to Help Dislocated Workers in Merrimack Valley

BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015…The Baker-Polito Administration announced today that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development was awarded up to $1.96 million from the federal government to boost reemployment services for residents impacted by layoffs.

The National Dislocated Worker Grant given by the U.S. Department of Labor will help approximately 150 people affected by layoffs at three companies in the Merrimack Valley.

“Retraining individuals to find new employment is enormously important work, and this grant will help our career centers do what needs to be done to get people back in the workforce,” Governor Charlie Baker said. 

The National Dislocated Worker Grant was approved for up to $1,968,992, with $808,693 to be released initially. The grant money provides assessment, career counseling, job development and placement services.

National Dislocated Worker Grants, formerly known as National Emergency Grants, temporarily expand the ability of state and local workforce investment boards to increase training for laid-off workers in response to unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses.

“Businesses tell us all the time they have jobs to fill, but cannot find the right people. These grants will ensure residents who lost their jobs can get the training and skills to they need to fill those open positions,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker, II said.