U.S. Department of Labor Distributes $34 Million to States for Trade Adjustment Assistance

Press Release

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the release of $34 million to assist states in providing career training as well as job search and relocation assistance to U.S. workers who lose their jobs for trade-related reasons.

"Nineteen states will be provided $34 million in additional funds under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program to provide job training, job search and relocation assistance for up to two years to dislocated workers to help them find new jobs and new careers," said Secretary Chao.

During fiscal year 2004, the department's Employment and Training Administration implemented a system for disbursing allocations using a formula that aligns resources with state training needs. Funds are reserved for those qualifying states that experience large, unexpected layoffs during the year.

Slightly more than $34 million was drawn from remaining 2008 resources and will go to the 19 states with the highest Trade Adjustment Assistance-related (TAA) expenditures. Over the past five years, states have received $209.3 million in year-end funds to aid trade-impacted workers. The department will begin disbursing the next round of TAA after Congress approves and the president signs fiscal year 2009 spending legislation.

"As the nation advances its competitiveness, it is important that those facing trade-related job loss have the resources they need to expand their career opportunities," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.

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