Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 7, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  John Loyle or Mike Kennedy, Pacific Mountain Consortium, 360-754-4113; or Tom O'Brien, Northeast Washington Rural Resources, 509-684-8421

Federal grant to help Washington workers find new jobs

OLYMPIA — Washington workers who lost jobs because of economic downturns at the Crown, Cork and Seal facilities in Olympia and Walla Walla will get help finding new ones under a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Gov. Gary Locke said the grant, up to $2.4 million, will help machine operators who lost their jobs because of downsizing.

"This grant will help 125 workers find jobs to hold their families together," Locke said. "Whether it's help with finding a new job, help with moving, or classroom training, these funds will help ease the burden on these wage earners."

In announcing the grant, the federal Department of Labor said President Bill Clinton noted many companies are still restructuring, downsizing and cutting costs to stay competitive in the global economy.

"These funds will ensure that the important contributions that Washington workers have to offer will not be overlooked," the president said.

Many of the laid-off workers will be eligible for help in finding new jobs or getting training for new careers. The Pacific Mountain Consortium and Northeast Washington Rural Resources, which will get $1.2 million for immediate use, will manage the retraining project.

The dislocated worker program is funded under the Job Training Partnership Act for workers who lose their jobs because of technological changes, foreign competition or government actions. Generally, workers are eligible if they are unlikely to return to their previous industry or occupation.

Occupations in the retraining program include computer technology, health care occupations, corrections and criminal justice (paralegal), civil engineering, automotive mechanics and accountants.

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