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Dislocated-worker funds released

7/1/2010

10-031

Media contact: Sheryl Hutchison, Communications director, 360-902-9289

OLYMPIA – The state Employment Security Department has distributed $18.5 million statewide to fund local services for dislocated workers during the July 2010 through June 2011 fiscal year.

The Dislocated-Worker Program uses federal funding to provide personalized employment and training services to unemployed workers whose skills or occupations are no longer in demand. It also provides early intervention services for workers and firms facing substantial layoffs.

“The large number of closures and mass layoffs during the recession has increased demand for this program,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. “Thousands of workers are facing major career changes, and these funds pay for services to help them make the transition.”

Dislocated workers are defined as individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own or who have received a layoff notice, and are unlikely to return to their previous occupation or industry. Eligible dislocated workers may receive intensive counseling, skill-development and professional-technical training through local WorkSource offices, in addition to basic employment services such as skill assessments, labor-market information, information about training programs and job-search assistance.

The funds are distributed to the Washington’s 12 workforce development areas based on a federal formula. The Employment Security Department typically maintains a reserve fund to address emergent needs that arise later in the fiscal year. But due to the large increase in participants during the recession, Employment Security is distributing most of the reserve funds now.

“The additional funds are needed to keep our commitment to workers who have already entered training programs,” said Lee.  “Unfortunately, that may limit options for new participants in some areas in the coming year.”

Employment Security is a partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which offers a variety of employment and training services for job seekers, including free help with interviewing skills, résumés, and job referrals. WorkSource also can help employers recruit and screen for qualified workers and provide information about federal tax breaks for hiring eligible unemployed workers.

Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com. Assistance also is available by phone at 877-872-5627. In addition, more than 21,000 job openings are posted online at www.go2worksource.com.

How the $18.5 million will be distributed

Workforce development areas2010 dislocated-worker funding*Compared to 2009 funding
1 – Olympic Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap $710,176 $711,572
2 - Pacific Mountain Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Thurston $1,316,079 $1,475,250
3 - Northwest Wash. Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom $1,049,715 $968,510
4 - Snohomish Co. $2,121,969 $1,714,722
5 - Seattle-King Co. $5,517,917 $3,764,715
6 - Pierce Co. $2,184,768 $1,929,543
7 - Southwest Wash. Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum $1,605,532 $1,582,559
8 - North-Central Wash. Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan $792,872 $891,112
9 - South-Central Wash. Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, Yakima $1,002,587 $1,222,954
10 - Eastern Wash. Asotin, Columbian, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman $404,272 $416,232
11 - Benton-Franklin $576,708 $711,847
12 - Spokane Co. $1,280,108 $1,320,122
TOTAL $18,562,703 $16,709,138

* Includes $4 million disbursed from reserves, in addition to base “formula” funding.

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Employment Security Web site – www.esd.wa.gov

WorkSource Web site - www.go2worksource.com

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Broadcast version

Communities across Washington have received an infusion of eighteen-point-five million dollars to help laid-off workers whose skills or occupations are no longer in demand.

These federal funds are distributed to local workforce development councils by the state Employment Security Department.

The councils use the money to provide personalized career counseling, training and job-search services through local WorkSource offices.

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