GOVERNOR LINGLE SEEKS $7.7 MILLION FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS FOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND TRAINING

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2009

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that she has applied for $7.7 million in federal stimulus grants for employment services and training to both preserve and create jobs for Hawai‘i residents.  In an effort to take maximum advantage of the federal funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to aid in the state’s economic recovery, Governor Lingle has applied for Hawai‘i’s full share of federal grants that will supplement existing workforce development and training programs.  These programs will help Hawai‘i’s unemployed labor force get back to work, or improve workers’ skills to help advance their careers.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations expects to receive the $7.7 million on March 19, 2009.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides states and the public workforce investment system with additional funding for a number of employment and training programs to help Americans acquire new skills and re-enter the workforce.  While the additional funding was approved by the President and Congress under the federal stimulus package, the governors of each state must apply for the funds by March 13, 2009.

“The goal of these federal stimulus funds is to assist our residents who have lost their jobs due to the impact the national and international economic downturn has had on Hawai‘i’s economy,” said Governor Lingle.  “The funds will enable the Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to build on its partnerships with the counties, the private sector, labor unions and nonprofit organizations to enhance job assistance and employment training services.”

Approximately 85 percent of the funds will be distributed to the counties, while the state will invest the balance in various employment programs. In total, the State of Hawai‘i will receive $7,773,870 broken down as follows:

• $2,918,025 for youth employment service programs, including expanded summer employment programs for youth;
• $1,234,406 for adult employment service programs, with priority given to recipients of public assistance and other low-income individuals;
• $2,161,193 for dislocated worker training and employment service programs; and
• $1,426,246 for public employment service programs, including $891,104 to support reemployment services for unemployment insurance claimants. 

These funds will also be used to support One-Stop Centers that are dedicated to providing free services to job seekers and employers, including job search assistance, personal career planning services, training opportunities, library resources and online employment resources such as the state’s HireNetHawaii.com.

“The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will continue to work with the counties and local workforce investment boards to assure the quick and effective use of the additional funds,” said Director Darwin L.D. Ching.

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For more information, go to:  www.hawaii.gov/labor
-or-
contact:
Ryan Markham
Phone: (808) 586-8845
Fax: (808) 586-9099
Email: ryan.k.markham@hawaii.gov