The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant Will Help Put Area Residents Back to Work

Sacramento, CA - The Greater Sacramento Urban League (GSUL) announced today a grant award of $591,217 from the California Recovery Task Force, funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for employment training programs in the Sacramento area. GSUL plans to use the substantial grant amount to train workers for employment in the information technology sector. The award is part of nearly $11 million in federal economic stimulus funding that California received to provide more than 2,100 Californians from a broad cross-section of the state with training in the skills they need to move from unemployment rolls to payrolls in a wide variety of industries throughout the state.

GSUL recently engaged in a rewarding partnership with The Stride Center, a San Pablo based tech training agency, to offer a professional computer certification courses to the community. This funding allows the partnership to continue and expands the availability of professional development courses for dislocated or unemployed workers.

"This funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will allow the Greater Sacramento Urban League to train workers in the Sacramento area for employment in the information technology sector," stated David DeLuz, President & CEO, Greater Sacramento Urban League. "Workers throughout the region will have the opportunity to learn the skills that employers need in today's rapidly changing workforce."

According to the business research organization Manta.com, the Sacramento region has over 175 technology-based companies that are currently hiring or are making plans to hire in the near future. The job training funding from ARRA will allow the GSUL to train workers to fill these positions. A majority of these positions are middle skill jobs, requiring a high school diploma or the equivilient, and some training and certification. They typically lead to long-term sustainable careers.

"This award could not come at a better time for the Sacramento Area," stated DeLuz. "Families are hurting and these are very difficult times for many people who want to work but are unable to compete for scarce jobs due to a lack of internet and technology skills."

The ARRA is intended to preserve and create jobs, promote the nation's economic recovery, and assist those most impacted by the recession. ARRA provides funding to support America's economic recovery by assisting workers who are facing unprecedented challenges to retool their skills and re-establish themselves in viable career paths.

For more information or Interview Requests Contact:

Jamie Rickey
916-286-8656
jrickey@gsul.org
www.gsul.org