Agency to receive up to $2.1 million in grants to provide re-employment services
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced today that it has received $1.1 million of the funding it requested in National Emergency Grants (NEG) from the U.S. Department of Labor to assist workers displaced by the recent closure of the Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. (Cargill) plant in Plainview
“We are pleased that this funding will provide training and re-employment services to assist the plant’s displaced workers,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Workforce Solutions South Plains will help these workers prepare for and find new jobs in high-demand occupations.”
The remaining $1 million of the total $2.1 million awarded to TWC will be released if there is a continued demonstrated need for assistance.
“More than 2,000 workers lost their jobs when the Cargill plant closed,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “These individuals will have access to additional job search assistance and specialized training as a result of this grant.”
Cargill announced the plant’s closure in January. In early February, Workforce Solutions South Plains (South Plains) began assisting the dislocated workers. South Plains opened a New Opportunities Center in Plainview dedicated to helping Cargill workers find jobs, held a job fair attended by 1,150 of the displaced employees and conducted two days of Rapid Response Services which provided services for the workers including job search assistance, job referrals, and assistance with registering with theWorkInTexas.com job matching site.
“This grant provides the local workforce development board an opportunity to work within the region to assist those affected,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Hope Andrade. “The resulting additional efforts and emphasis will assist displaced workers and provide additional access to in-demand opportunities with employers in this region.”
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. More information on these grants is available at: www.doleta.gov/NEG/.
