Mobile Works Has Earmarked Funds To Aid Laid-Off Workers In Mobile County
Friday, Oct 15th, 2004

Laid-Off Workers Are Immediately Eligible for Mobile Works Programs

MOBILE, Alabama - October 15, 2004 - Mobile Works Inc. announced today that it has earmarked funds to aid laid-off workers in Mobile County. "The unemployment rate in Mobile County has remained around 7 percent over the last year and there have been no major layoffs that I know of," said Sydney G. Raine, President. "While the economy is still improving, this is good news, but we want to be sure that no worker is left behind.

In the 2004-2005 fiscal year, Mobile Works will invest nearly $4.9 million dollars in jobs, training and economic initiatives for all of Mobile County, including funds earmarked specifically for laid-off workers. "This funding will provide a wide array of retraining and employment-related assistance to workers who still need help as they transition to new careers," said Raine.

Laid-off workers are immediately eligible for the two major programs that Mobile Works has for jobseekers in need of a new career. First, jobseekers must register at the Alabama Career Center for employment services. If they are unable to find a job and need further training, they can apply for the Mobile Works programs, including:

Individual Training Accounts are Career Advancement Scholarships that allow eligible candidates to attend school for up to two years. Candidates must meet income requirements or be a laid-off worker in need of retraining. Since the program began in 2000, over 3,000 jobseekers have received scholarships worth nearly $5.6 million.

On-the-Job-Training allows jobseekers to be paid while training in a new career. Mobile Works develops a contract with a for-profit employer where Mobile Works agrees to reimburse the employer up to 50% of the cost to train a new hire for up to six months. The employer agrees to hire trainees for permanent full-time positions. Over 215 people have been trained since 2000, with over 48 local businesses receiving total trainee wage reimbursements worth over $609,000.

Laid-off workers, as well as other jobseekers, can apply for these programs at the Alabama Career Center. Other types of assistance jobseekers can find at the Alabama Career Center include outreach, assessment, career planning and counseling, job search assistance, adult education, literacy classes, job readiness training, pre-employment and vocational services, case management and follow up services.

"Mobile Works is committed to getting helping workers who have been laid off transition as quickly as possible," said Sydney G. Raine, President. "We are providing these funds to help workers access training and transitional assistance so they can find new job opportunities."

Mobile Works Inc., a local partnership of business, education, labor and community leaders, provides businesses with training, leadership, labor market information and employment programs designed to stimulate local business by meeting the needs of Mobile area businesses while increasing the available labor pool of skilled jobseekers in the Mobile area. Since its inception in 2000, the group has invested more than $19 million overall to support Mobile area job and educational programs, not including the $4.9 million budgeted for the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

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Contact:
Gia Dinges
Director of Marketing
251-432-0909 phone
[email protected] email


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