Continuing his commitment to stimulate job growth in the California economy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that over $18 million in job training grants will be directed to regions and job sectors that have been hit hard in the national economic downturn.  

"During this national economic downturn we must do everything in our power to help Californians get back to work," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "These grants will provide the opportunity for thousands of California workers to receive job training and placement assistance for jobs in expanding industries - helping workers when they need it the most."

The Governor has authorized a third round of economic stimulus grants totaling $5.4 million in federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Funds directed to 25 regions of California. These grants will provide job training, education and placement assistance to people who are out of work due to the economic downturn. The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency's Employment Development Department (EDD) provides administrative authority over these Workforce Investment Act grants. (For a list of areas receiving funding see CHART A below). 

Also through federal WIA Funds, the Governor authorized a $900,000 grant that will help retrain workers in Mendocino County who lost their jobs in layoffs spurred by the closing of a construction and wood products plant last year. This grant will help retrain workers for jobs in in-demand industries including health care, security, long-haul trucking and retail management.  The grant was awarded to the Mendocino Workforce Investment Board, which is working with 21 partners to provide services through One-Stop Centers in Ukiah, Fort Bragg and Willits.

Additionally, the state's EDD has received a $4 million National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide services to more than 700 U.S. Department of Defense civilian workers and private contractors affected by Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions. The EDD is disbursing the funds to Local Workforce Investment Areas working with eight military bases and facilities to provide direct services including counseling, case management, job training and development, relocation assistance, job placement and follow-up. (For a list of areas receiving funding see CHART B below). 

In addition, the Governor announced today an $8.4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will help hundreds of low-income migrant and seasonal farm workers still struggling to recover from the massive freeze that caused $1.3 billion worth of damage to crops in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California in January 2007. The grants will provide a wide range of aid, including temporary employment and training for permanent jobs. Workers will also receive assistance for rent, mortgage and utility payments, transportation, clothing and food referrals. Use of this funding is contingent upon the notification and appropriation by the legislature.

"In our rapidly changing economy, job training is a key that unlocks the door to success for unemployed workers," said Patrick Henning, Director of the Employment Development Department. "The grants help workers quickly move into new jobs offering good pay now and an opportunity to move upward in the growing industries of the future."