Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state has received nearly $1.4 million in federal stimulus funds to help retrain workers who have lost their jobs as a result of foreign competition.
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) grant is part of $119.6 million awarded to states in a second distribution for fiscal year 2010. The allocation brings Connecticut’s grand total for the fiscal year to $6,730,050.
“Men and women left jobless through no fault of their own when companies moved overseas or outsourced their positions will have an opportunity to learn new skills for new careers,” Governor Rell said. “This support is critical to help these workers secure jobs that will support their families and our economy.”
The TAA program provides displaced workers with the training, skills, resources and support needed to obtain re-employment. The $1,393,069 in federal funding will be used to provide career training and to pay for associated administrative costs.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) included a major expansion and reform of the TAA program. It also authorized an increase in the maximum amount of TAA funds that may be used for training nationwide from $220 to $575 million.
For more information the AARA in Connecticut go to www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.
