Economic stimulus funds to benefit jobless Philadelphians

    The city of Philadelphia is receiving 14 million dollars in federal funding for job training as part of the stimulus program.

    The city of Philadelphia is receiving 14 million dollars in federal funding for job training as part of the stimulus program.

    Listen:
    [audio: 090512tmwork.mp3]

    The federal funding is designed to help people find jobs in this tough economy. Mayor Michael Nutter says about half of the 14 million dollars will be dedicated to job training for adults and workers who have been recently been laid off.

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    Nutter: We’re going to take advantage of the opportunity that President Obama has given us and focus our workforce spending under the recovery act on training programs that offer college credits we’re looking for programs that will quickly train workers in growth green jobs healthcare education while getting them college credits at the same time.

    Under the stimulus program, contracts for about half of the money need to be awarded quickly. Roosevelt Hairston of the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board says they hope to have programs set up by June for people who need the training to find a new job.

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