Emergency Grant to help hundreds of laid-off workers
Published on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 by Sue Ambler, President/ CEORead More County & State
April 12, 2012 (Everett, WA) —The US Department of Labor today announced a $1.7 million National Emergency Grant to assist 570 workers affected by the Kimberly Clark Corporation paper mill closure in Everett, Washington, which began in December 2011.
Workers dislocated from the Kimberly Clark paper mill are already receiving assistance through WorkSource Snohomish and Skagit Counties, WA State Employment Security Department, and other community partners, including United Way. Former Kimberly Clark workers are also eligible for the Trade Act Assistance (TAA) program, which pays for retraining after dislocation due to international trade.
National Emergency Grants and TAA funds provide different, but complementary, benefits.
“The National Emergency Fund grant will ensure we are able to conduct thorough assessments to match each worker’s skill sets with local labor market needs. Where skill sets don’t align—that’s where TAA funds can pay for tuition and books,” explains Sue Ambler, President and CEO of Workforce Development Council Snohomish County.
WorkSource Employment Specialists will work one-on-one with those workers who are determined to have in-demand job skills to hone resumes, prepare to interview, and get reconnected to the local job market.
“This grant will ensure that we have the trained staff to help our workers. These people—and their families—are not forgotten,” says Ambler.
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County is especially grateful to Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives Larsen, Inslee, and Smith, whose leadership and dedication to these communities resulted in such speedy financial assistance for these workers and their families.
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County WDCSC invests government and private funding to continuously increase the global competitiveness and prosperity of county workforce and businesses, fill current and emerging jobs, and provide full employment. Investments are made through effective business, labor, community-based, educational, and service provider organizations for the opportunity, economic well-being, and benefit of our entire community.
Workers dislocated from the Kimberly Clark paper mill are already receiving assistance through WorkSource Snohomish and Skagit Counties, WA State Employment Security Department, and other community partners, including United Way. Former Kimberly Clark workers are also eligible for the Trade Act Assistance (TAA) program, which pays for retraining after dislocation due to international trade.
National Emergency Grants and TAA funds provide different, but complementary, benefits.
“The National Emergency Fund grant will ensure we are able to conduct thorough assessments to match each worker’s skill sets with local labor market needs. Where skill sets don’t align—that’s where TAA funds can pay for tuition and books,” explains Sue Ambler, President and CEO of Workforce Development Council Snohomish County.
WorkSource Employment Specialists will work one-on-one with those workers who are determined to have in-demand job skills to hone resumes, prepare to interview, and get reconnected to the local job market.
“This grant will ensure that we have the trained staff to help our workers. These people—and their families—are not forgotten,” says Ambler.
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County is especially grateful to Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives Larsen, Inslee, and Smith, whose leadership and dedication to these communities resulted in such speedy financial assistance for these workers and their families.
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County WDCSC invests government and private funding to continuously increase the global competitiveness and prosperity of county workforce and businesses, fill current and emerging jobs, and provide full employment. Investments are made through effective business, labor, community-based, educational, and service provider organizations for the opportunity, economic well-being, and benefit of our entire community.
