Stimulus money goes to workforce development

The Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board has received more than $3.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to enhance and expand its existing support of workforce development services throughout Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties.

The money is being directed toward paid summer work for youth ages 14 to 24, financial support in the form of tuition assistance and supportive services for eligible adults and displaced workers.

Investment board Director Susan Whisler said the board's goal is to direct the funds to help those most in need of workforce-related assistance.

"Our goal is to offer an outstanding paid work experience program to over 400 young people this summer; quadruple the number we normally serve each year," Whisler said in a prepared statement.

"We can provide up to $10,000 to help offset the cost of training for eligible individuals, and we can also provide assistance with childcare and transportation for those in training."

A meeting to further explain the program will be held at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at Pennsylvania CareerLink, 3001 Fairway Drive.

For more information or to attend the meeting, call Whisler at 949-6507.