PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman today (Tuesday) announced that workers displaced at Polaris Industries in Osceola are eligible to apply for additional re-employment and training services under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. The workers make parts for recreational vehicles and are affected by a shift in production to Mexico, according to findings of the U.S. Department of Labor.

“This additional assistance will help these workers increase their job skills and find new employment,” Secretary Gassman said. “These employment and training services will help them re-enter the workforce and support themselves and their families. Working with our partners, we provide these services to displaced workers to help them get the training they need and connect with employers in search of workers with the right skills. We are committed to doing everything we can to help workers and their families in the Osceola community.”

The TAA certification applies to workers displaced as of June 28, 2009, through August 26, 2012, and it includes temporary workers provided by Westaff in Osceola. Affected workers will be notified of meetings to discuss program benefits.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) administers the federally funded services, which are available through local Job Centers. They include retraining and re-employment services tailored to meet the needs of individual workers. These workers can now apply for the following TAA services:

Training for employment in another job or career,
Income support, known as trade readjustment allowances,
Job search allowance to cover expenses seeking employment outside normal commuting areas, and
Relocation allowances for approved relocation expenses in moving to a new area of employment.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor expanded the amount of TAA funds available nationwide to $575 million from $220 million as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The additional funding will help states serve an increasing number of trade-affected workers. More information on the TAA program is available at http://www.doleta.gov.

Individuals interested in receiving re-employment assistance should contact a local Job Center or visit
http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/directory/ to find a Job Center nearby. The nearest Job Center location also can be found by calling toll free (888) 258-9966.