The papers seem to be screaming nothing but bad news these days. Just recently, Newsweek reported that inflation around the globe had shot up to problematic levels, with prices going up at a dizzying rate and people all over struggling to make ends meet. Last week, the Associated Press pointed out that the unemployment rate had soared to 5.7 percent in July, and that employers across the country had shaved off a staggering 463,000 jobs this year.
But despite the current trend of disillusionment in the country, low-income families and individuals still have a good reason to keep their hopes up. Late last month, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced that a government grant worth $10 million will be allocated to 11 different projects that will open up jobs and training opportunities for the country’s skilled workers. ” These grants awarded under the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative will help equip workers with skills and certifications that are in demand in the energy sector,” Chao said.
Because of the shortage of skilled workers in the energy industry, the government hopes that these federal grants will not only carve out new jobs for the country’s unemployed, but will also provide them with stable, long term careers. Eleven states have already won the grant money, with each state receiving an amount between $390,000 to $1.1 million. Find out if your state has received federal money to create jobs for you! Contact your local state office, or forward your questions to the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C.