U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, announced today Hawaii will receive two grants totaling nearly $1.8 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to help unemployed individuals train for and transition to new employment. Hawaii will receive $900,000 through the Job-Driven
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, announced today Hawaii will receive two grants totaling nearly $1.8 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to help unemployed individuals train for and transition to new employment. Hawaii will receive $900,000 through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program to train unemployed workers for jobs in high-demand industries and $855,000 through the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment Program grant to help Unemployment Insurance claimants return to work quickly.
“The best way to help those who are unemployed is to help them get back to work,” Schatz said. “These funds support Hawaii’s job centers and help those who are unemployed with the job training and services they need to find a good paying job.”
Both programs have a track record of assisting the unemployed in Hawaii, Schatz said in a written statement. The Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program expands employer occupational training partnerships that result in an industry-recognized credential, such as on-the-job training or registered apprenticeships. Funding from this grant will also be used for career coaching and job placement.
The Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment Program grant will be used to conduct in-person assessments at American Job Centers that assist unemployed individuals in the creation of re-employment plans based on their skills and the job market. These assessments also help evaluate unemployment insurance benefits, and provide job training services. Since the initiative began in March 2005, Hawaii has assisted more than 36,000 unemployment insurance claimants with their re-employment efforts. There are currently eight American Job Centers across Hawaii.
