Federal grant to help retrain unemployed Pennsylvanians

(Harrisburg) — A federal grant is helping to provide training for long-term unemployed Pennsylvanians. State Department of Labor and Industry spokeswoman Theresa Elliott says the term generally refers to people who’ve been out of work for 27 weeks or more.

“The number of people served will be based on the proposals submitted by the local Workforce Investment Boards,” Elliott says. “The funds will be disbursed through local Workforce Investment Boards — or WIBs — and the WIBs will submit proposals to [the Department of Labor and Industry] for approval, and serve as project operators for the funds.”

Elliott says veterans and eligible spouses will be given priority. The job skills training will be focused on — but not limited to — the advanced manufacturing, energy and health care sectors. About 490,000 Pennsylvanians are currently unemployed.