Grant provides support for area workers impacted by recent layoffs

A grant awarded to the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board will assist workers impacted by layoffs at area industries.

LTWDB Assistant Workforce Director Anthony Hellmueller said the state reached out after the announced closing of BlueOval SK to assist in applying for a National Dislocated Worker Grant through the U.S. Department of Labor.

“The application was approved and we received a notification of that a little earlier this year, so we are now able to use those funds to assist with those who were displaced from employers like BlueOval SK, Kentucky Cooperage in Marion County, and then also the Akebono layoff,” Hellmueller said.

The funding can be used to assist workers with job searches and job placement, or with beginning a new career path.

“If they want to change course and go into a different job altogether or a different career altogether, they can do training or retraining, and we can assist with the cost of that training,” Hellmueller said.

The program prioritizes “career opportunities that offer competitive wages, benefits, advancement potential, and stable working conditions.” Supportive services may be provided, including work clothing, tools, certifications, and other job-related needs to help workers get past barriers to employment.

Hellmueller said the LTWDB is working side-by-side with area employers to determine what their hiring needs are, allowing them to benefit jobseekers as well as employers.

“This allows us to align our participants’ training with real workforce demand in the area and in the region, and connect those people directly to open positions through hiring events and specialized job matching,” Hellmueller said.

Workers interested in learning about their eligibility should find the interest form available at ltcareercenter.org/dislocated-workers. A career advisor will reach out and begin the enrollment process.