DeLauro Highlights Importance of Investing in Job Training, Workforce

Visits WorkforceAlliance in New Haven to Hear From Current, Former Clients

NEWHAVEN, CT –Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) visited Workforce Alliance inNew Haven today to highlight the importance of federal funding for programsthat help under- and unemployed workers retrain and find good middle-classjobs. DeLauro led a roundtable discussion with Bill Villano, President and CEOof the Workforce Alliance, as well as individuals currently searching for jobsand some who have used the Alliance's resources to successfully find new jobs.If the cuts and consolidations proposed under Congressman Paul Ryan's budgetwere to go into effect, the Workforce Alliance could lose millions in federaldollars, limiting opportunities for Connecticut to create and sustain ahigh-skilled workforce.

"Ata time when jobs are harder to find than ever, we need efficient workforcedevelopment and job training services to help citizens to get back on theirfeet," DeLauro said. "They are part of a comprehensive, multi-pronged approachto put America back to work. People are using them, and they have shown provenresults. Over half of the people seeking help – 4.7 million Americansnationwide – have found jobs with the help of these services.

"Butthe Federal budget unfortunately has not kept up with the scale of need. And the Ryan budget would make things dramatically worse. It could slashjob training programs by 19% over the next 10 years, while restructuring theprograms so that thousands of people would lose access to Workforce Alliance'scritical services. We know cuts would weaken an already struggling economy. Noinvestment is more critical than investment in our human capital, and workforceinvestment programs are the essence of good government."

Villano said: "Giventhe current unemployment situation in Connecticut, which has increased inrecent months, this would be the worst time to cut resources for programs thatput people back to work"

WorkforceAlliance, which also has locations in Hamden and Meriden, is a One Stopresource for education, training, and employment opportunities, with servicesoffered at no cost. Job hunters can use the computer lab to search foremployment and print resumes, attend workshops to develop their skills, getcareer counseling, and work on job development.