NEWS: $3.2 Million Grant Expected to Create 800 Jobs in Wake, Johnston Counties

4/6/2009

The Capital Area Workforce Development Board, comprised of Wake and Johnston counties, announced today, Monday, April 6, 2009, that it has been awarded $3,229,421 in Workforce Development funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The grant, which was accepted by the Wake County Board of Commissioners, will be used to provide jobs for dislocated workers, underemployed adults and youth. Priority will be given to veterans. Approximately 600 youth, 130 dislocated workers and 80 adults are expected to be placed in jobs.

"This grant will be a critical element in providing jobs to help our citizens during these challenging economic times," said Wake County Chair Harold H. Webb. "We understand the need to strengthen our workforce and we plan to use these stimulus dollars accordingly."

Job seekers, or employers (public or private) that would like to be considered as work sites, can visit www.jumpinthejobpool.com to apply for jobs, or to become work sites. As outlined in the grant, participating employers will not be required to pay the salaries of the employees they hire.

Two full-time positions, one accountant and one executive assistant, will be created within the County’s Workforce Development office to administer the ARRA funds. The grant will be allocated as follows:

Adults – ($514,671) Funds used for public and private sector job placement, training and job search activities. Adults must be low income or underemployed, making less than 225 percent of the federal poverty level ($20,000-$27,000 yearly) to be eligible. Veterans will receive priority service.

*Average pay: $10 per hour, for four to five months

Youth, ages 16-24 – ($1,360,003) Funds used for a seven-week Summer Youth Employment Program. Youth must be considered low income (may be receiving pubilc assistance), plus one of the following barriers:

* Homeless                        * School Dropout

* Runaway Youth                * Pregnant/Parenting Youth

* Offender                           * Foster Care

* Basic Skill Deficient          * Youth Requiring Additional Assistance

*Average pay: $7.25 per hour, for seven weeks

Dislocated workers – ($1,354,747) Funds used for public and private sector job placement, training and job search activities. Applicants must be displaced from employment due to layoff or closure (no fault of their own).

*Average pay: $12 per hour, for four to five months

The mission of the Capital Area Workforce Development Board is to create a highly skilled workforce system by providing employers with productive, skilled workers, and by offering citizens training and employment opportunities that promote job satisfaction and economic stability. The Capital Area Workforce Development Board is located in Raleigh and serves the citizens of Johnston and Wake counties.

Please direct questions about the Capital Area Workforce Development Board to CapitalAreaInfo@gmail.com.

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