Federal Stimulus Job Training

The federal stimulus job training program is welcomed among the unemployed.

In response to the recession of the late 2000s, the federal government included a federal stimulus job training program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009. The purpose of this training program is to help unemployed and underemployed individuals retool their skill sets toward a new career path.

Identification

The federal government allocated nearly $4 billion to fund a stimulus job training program. The funds are earmarked for two demographic groups: young people just entering the workforce and older workers having difficulty finding or keeping a job. Individuals who fit these demographics can use the fund for retraining at a community college or an approved educational institution.

Function

To administer and distribute the funds, the government taps into its network of more than 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers. Interested individuals should contact their state's workforce investment office or the Department of Labor to locate the nearest One-Stop Career Center. Once at the centers, you need to be prepared with an idea of where the good jobs are, what transferable skills you have and which skill sets you need to develop.

Significance

With millions of individuals either unemployed or underemployed, the federal stimulus job training program is a well-timed benefit. Qualified individuals who need help should learn more and take advantage of this opportunity.

References

• Monster: Stimulus Allocates Billions for Job-Training Opportunities
• United States Department of Labor: Map of State One-stop Web Sites