$103M Of Federal Funding To Target CT Unemployment Training

Bethel CT

22 April, 2021

1:50 PM

Description

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont proposed Thursday that the state direct $103 million of the federal funding it has received for pandemic recovery efforts towards job training and employment opportunities for residents whose employment has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In March, Connecticut received $2.6 billion in state relief and $1.6 billion in local relief through the American Rescue Plan Act. There are currently 140,000 residents unemployed in the state, and unemployment recovery in the state is the third worst in the nation. Lamont is proposing to allocate $95.5 million to reskill and upskill 9,000 displaced workers through sector-based training programs, $2 million to provide job training and educational support to 1,000 currently or previously incarcerated youth and adults, and $3.7 million to extend the operating hours of ten Connecticut Technical Education and Career System programs. The governor is also looking to spend $2 million of the funding provide employment opportunities to a thousand at-risk and disengaged youth during and beyond the summer. "This $103 million proposed investment focuses on getting residents most affected by the pandemic back to work as quickly as possible in high-demand jobs across the state," Lamont said. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape the future of Connecticut's workforce and ensure it aligns with the needs of the post-pandemic, 21st century economy." The state's Office of Workforce Strategy has been charged to coordinate these initiatives. Lamont has wasted no time doling out the federal cheese. On Friday he said the state will direct $210 million of the ARPA funding for use by early childhood programs. On Wednesday he targeted another $11 million to be used as grants the state will award for summer 2021 youth recreational and enrichment programs.