Stimulus cash to boost job training

 

 

 PHILADELPHIA. Local officials Wednesday announced a $2.9 million grant from the federal stimulus package that will create training programs for more than 600 Philadelphia residents – and hopefully jobs – as the Obama administration tries to deflect criticism about the stimulus package.

A dozen agencies will administer the training starting next month in fields such as clean energy, business and financial services, education and health care. The programs are aimed at giving unemployed residents the skills to get back into the work force.

"It's not enough to give people skills for the job today, but we need to train folks for the jobs of the future," said Mayor Michael Nutter.

The city's unemployment rate rose to 10 percent in May from 9.6 percent in April, but Nutter insisted that the stimulus package has helped produce new jobs.

"I think when people get the training, many of those people are going to get work," he said, pointing to roughly 20 graduates who have found jobs after completing a weatherization training program that began in April.

Residents can apply for the programs through five CareerLink centers in the city. The skills training being administered by Community College of Philadelphia, called "My Career Now" will also offer college credits towards an associates degree.

Officials hope the credits will encourage workers without college degrees to return and further their education on the heels of a report this week from the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board showing that more than 50 percent of the city's work force lacks necessary literacy skills.