I read that Mississippi received $44 million for workforce training. How will this money be used?
• A: Most of the $44 million allotted to Mississippi under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will be divided among the four local workforce areas according to the federal formula. Each local workforce area will use this funding to target adult and dislocated workers, by enhancing job search, occupational guidance, assessment and employer recruitment and training services. The goal is to reduce long-term unemployment and help people return to meaningful employment. Local workforce areas play an important role in helping to meet the regional workforce needs of Mississippi. For example, part of the stimulus funding provides an increase for “On-the-Job Training” support, which assists local employers by covering up to half the cost of retraining workers. These “On-the-Job Training” dollars are distributed by the local workforce areas, which have intimate knowledge of their regional needs and resources. A summer youth program is also a part of this funding so that youth ages
