The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $2.97 million to provide temporary employment and training for individuals after the northern California wildfires between July and October 2021.
Up to $8.9 million in National Dislocated Worker Grants will be awarded to the California Employment Development Department so they can provide temporary employment of individuals, the Department of Labor said Feb. 14.
The grant funding “allows the California Employment Development Department to provide for temporary employment of individuals to clear downed trees, perform forest restoration activities and provide employment and training services for eligible individuals in Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Tehama and Trinity counties,” the Department of Labor said.
The wildfires devastated national forests and parks in the area, as well as northern California’s lumber industry. National lumber shortages were made worse, adding to the difficulties for communities to rebuild, according to the Department of Labor. California was able to ask for the funding once the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration in August 2021.
The California Dislocated Worker Grant is administered by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, according to the department.
Dislocated Worker Grants expand programs for dislocated workers at the state and local levels. The funding is awarded after unexpected economic events cause major job losses, the Department of Labor said.
Additionally, the grants are supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, according to the Department of Labor.
