$5.4M DOL grant to assist laid-off aerospace workers in Texas

The U.S. Department of Labor on September 10 announced a $5,367,340 grant to assist about 600 workers affected by layoffs from multiple employers impacted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's retirement of the Space Shuttle program.

"Today's grant will give the talented and high-skilled workers of Texas the opportunity to find new jobs in expanding sectors of the state's economy," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Our goal is to provide the necessary tools for these workers to identify and prepare for other career opportunities that will place them in new and permanent jobs."

Awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, this grant will be operated by the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board. The grant will provide affected workers with access to dislocated worker services, which may include skills assessment, basic skills training, individual career counseling and occupational skills training.

This grant will provide services to former employees of Barrios Technology, Boeing, Cimmaron, Fluor, Hamilton Sunstrand, Jacobs/IESCG, Lockheed Martin, Oceaneering Space Systems, REDE/Critique, NSS, SAIC, SGT and U.S.A. The majority of these workers were contractors for the Space Shuttle program at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Of the $5,367,340 announced on September 10, $2,221,564 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG/.