Governor Rendell Announces $74 Million in Recovery Funds for Job Training, Youth...

Governor Rendell Announces $74 Million in Recovery Funds for Job Training,
Youth Employment

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Unemployed workers and
youth seeking summer jobs will get a boost from approximately $74 million from
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA, Governor Edward G.
Rendell said today.

"As Pennsylvanians continue to feel the effects of the national economy, it is
imperative that we expand job retraining opportunities for unemployed workers
and young people," Governor Rendell said. "Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians were
unemployed and looking for work in March. They need the workforce development
services that these funds will provide."

The funds, which are awarded to local workforce investment areas, will provide
job training and education services for unemployed workers and young people
between 14 and 24 seeking summer employment.

Unemployed Pennsylvanians can access job retraining funds through their local
PA CareerLink office where professional staff will determine eligibility and
provide career assessment and coaching. Find the nearest PA CareerLink office
online at www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us, or by phone at 1-866-858-2753.

Federal guidance for ARRA job training funds also helps expand summer youth
employment by providing wage support for at-risk youth. Information on youth
employment opportunities is available through local Workforce Investment
Boards online at: www.paworkforce.state.pa.us under "Recovery Act Workforce
Information & Initiatives," or by phone at 1-866-858-2753.

"Far fewer summer employment opportunities exist for young people during
economic downturns," Governor Rendell said. "These funds will not only provide
expanded summer employment opportunities for young Pennsylvanians who often
contribute to their families' budgets, but also provide valuable work
experience, which leads to better scholastic outcomes and increased lifetime
career earnings."

The formula for distribution of the funds is determined by the federal
government and includes, among other factors, population, unemployment rate
and number of families under the poverty rate.

The first installment of $30 million is available to local workforce
investment areas today. The remaining $44 million in ARRA workforce funds will
be distributed when additional spending authority is approved by the
Pennsylvania General Assembly.

"We need to provide retraining to unemployed Pennsylvanians so that they can
reenter the workforce and be prepared for higher skilled, higher wage jobs,"
said Department of Labor & Industry acting Secretary Sandi Vito. "Strategic
job training and education will help us recover from the current economic
crisis, but also ensure that Pennsylvania comes through these trying times
stronger and better prepared than ever to excel in the global economy."

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter,
visit: www.governor.state.pa.us.

To learn more about American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding and
initiatives in the commonwealth, visit: www.recovery.pa.gov.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A list of the 23 Workforce Investment Areas, the counties they
serve and ARRA funding levels is available online at: www.recovery.pa.gov.

CONTACT: Christopher S. Manlove, L&I
717-787-7530
Barry Ciccocioppo, Gov.
717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Christopher S. Manlove, L&I, +1-717-787-7530 or Barry Ciccocioppo, Gov.,
+1-717-783-1116