DAVIS DESIGNATES $5 MILLION GRANT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AEROSPACE WORKERS

Governor Gray Davis announced $5 million in job training funds to assist workers being displaced by aerospace and defense layoffs.

Operated by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (formerly the South Bay Private Industry Council) and administered by the City of Hawthorne, the Aerospace Network Project, serves dislocated aerospace and defense workers primarily in Los Angeles and Orange County. The target population includes workers from Boeing, Raytheon, TRW, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Parker Aerospace and other like companies.

City of Hawthorne Mayor, Larry Guidi said: "We are very pleased that our Workforce Investment Board was able to secure these critically needed dislocated worker funds."

The dislocated worker program is a comprehensive approach to assisting workers who are about to be or have been laid off due to such reasons as technological change, foreign competition or military defense cutbacks. Generally speaking, dislocated workers are eligible for the program if they are unlikely to return to the occupation they have been dislocated from.

"This $5 million investment will benefit California's workers and employers," Governor Davis said. "Continuing to prepare workers for available jobs is an essential ingredient to maintaining our state's economic success."

Basic readjustment services for workers will include activities such as: comprehensive skills assessment, personal counseling, job development and placement, basic skills training, vocational classroom training, on-the-job training and support services such as child care and transportation. The training received will prepare the workers for demand occupations such as: computer services, mechanics, electricians, electronics technicians, technical support specialists, graphic designers, administrative assistants, medical and clerical support specialists.

For more information contact the South Bay Workforce Investment Board at 310.970.7700, fax # 310.970.7711

Contact: Ron Delahoussaye

South Bay Workforce Investment Board

Phone: (310) 970-7700

Fax: (310) 970-7711

rdelahoussaye@sbwib.org