ADECA has received the amounts of additional Workforce Investment Act funding allocated to Alabama from the U.S. Department of Labor as part of the stimulus plan. The funding is divided into four categories: Dislocated Worker, Adult, Youth and other workforce development activities. The Department of Labor allocated the stimulus funds to the states based on the same criteria used in the regular allocation of Workforce Investment Act funds, including job-loss data and the number of economically disadvantaged residents.

People interested in seeking services through the WIA must meet certain eligibility criteria. Enrollment is handled by Alabama ’s One-stop Career Centers.

Alabama has three workforce investment areas: the Jefferson County Commission Local Workforce Investment Area, the Mobile Works Inc. Local Investment Area and the Alabama Workforce Investment Area covering the state’s other 65 counties. The stimulus funds are allocated to the three workforce investment areas as prescribed in the Workforce Investment Act.

ADECA has issued a request for proposals for skills training programs that serve youth, adults and laid-off workers.

Job training and assistance for laid-off workers - $13,193,657

ADECA has received $13,193,657 to help workers who have lost jobs through no fault of their own begin new careers. The program will pay costs for qualified workers to receive training with an approved training organization, such as a two-year college or private training organization, in high-growth, high-demand occupations. Funds may also be used for on-the-job training.

-- Jefferson County Commission Local Workforce Investment Area: $1,111,066
-- Mobile Works Inc. Local Workforce Investment Area: $483,713
-- Alabama Workforce Investment Area (65 counties): $9,619,830

Job training for low-income adults age 18 and older - $5,103,029

ADECA has received $5,103,029 to help economically disadvantaged adults age 25 and older obtain job training in high-growth, high-demand occupations. Training must be provided by an approved training organization and the funds may be used for on-the-job training or customized employment training, which tailors training to the needs of participants who are mentally or physically disabled.

-- Jefferson County Commission Local Workforce Investment Area: $237,666
-- Mobile Works Inc. Local Workforce Investment Area: $523,121
-- Alabama Workforce Investment Area (65 counties): $3,576,788

GED assistance and job training for youth ages 14-24 - $11,647,403

ADECA has received $11,647,403 for services to youth ages 14-24, including GED preparation for high-school dropouts, career exploration, summer employment and job training or work experience at businesses and nonprofit organizations.

-- Jefferson County Commission Local Workforce Investment Area: $518,056
-- Mobile Works Inc. Local Workforce Investment Area: $1,188,018
-- Alabama Workforce Investment Area (65 counties): $8,194,219

Worker training grants for employers and other workforce development services - $4,491,612

Workforce Investment Act regulations enable Alabama to use 15 percent of the allocations for the dislocated worker, adult and youth programs for other workforce development activities. Alabama will use a portion of the $4,491,612 it expects to receive to help Alabama companies provide skills training to their employees through the Incumbent Worker Training Program. ADECA also is allocating some of the funds to provide additional job training assistance to laid-off workers assisted through the state’s Rapid Response team. A portion of the funds will be used for grant administration, monitoring and oversight.

Job training in renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries - $6,000,000

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $6 million in economic stimulus funds to establish the Alabama Energy Sector Partnership program. The training program will teach participants the skills needed to qualify for employment in one of five energy-related areas: energy efficient construction and retrofits, renewable electric power, energy-efficient and advanced-drive-train vehicle manufacturing, biofuels and energy-efficiency assessment.

Individuals targeted for the program will include veterans, laid-off workers, juveniles and unskilled workers in low-wage jobs. ADECA’s partners in the training program are the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, Alabama Career Center System, Alabama Department of Education, Alabama Homebuilders Association, Mobile Workforce Investment Board and Trenholm State Technical College.

ADECA and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development have issued a request for proposals for public and private training providers to teach skills in the five energy-related areas. Proposals are due by Feb. 17, 2010.