United States Department of Labor :11.4 million jobs in five months, unemployment rate drops, supporting military spouses..

U.S. Department of Labor October 2, 2020 +11.4 Million Jobs Payroll employment increased by 661,000 jobs in September and the unemployment rate dropped to 7.9%. 11.4 million jobs have been added since the economy began to reopen. Secretary Scalia Visits Ohio Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Ohio this week, where he toured Fredon Corp. and met with company leaders, employees and apprentices to discuss economic recovery and building a stronger manufacturing workforce through apprenticeship. Supporting Military Spouse Careers Secretary Scalia joined Second Lady Karen Pence to announce a new Transition Assistance Program workshop for military spouses. The Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS) effort will provide tailored career training for military spouses. NDEAM This October, during the 75th observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department recognizes the importance of increasing access and opportunity for all workers. Increasing Workforce Opportunities In Pennsylvania, Secretary Scalia visited die casting parts supplier PHB Inc. to discuss efforts to develop a skilled workforce through apprenticeship. He also highlighted the Administration’s coronavirus response and announced $29 million in Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities grants. Secretary Scalia Visits Buffalo Secretary Scalia visited Buffalo, New York, this week, where he held a roundtable discussion with local business leaders on expanding apprenticeship, increasing work-based learning opportunities and growing manufacturing. COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES End Child Labor Two new reports provide data and actions that governments, companies and organizations can take to end child labor, including eliminating it from global supply chains. Release: 15 grants totaling more than $118 million to help address coronavirus impacts on the workforce FAQs: OSHA guidance on reporting work-related cases of the coronavirus. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Opioid Grants The Department awarded several grants to support workers whose employment has been impacted by the opioid crisis, including $1.3 million apiece for California and Rhode Island, and nearly $2 million for the Cherokee Nation. Apprenticeship Milestone The U.S. Department of Labor announced Raytheon Technologies as the first Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program. WANTO Grants The Department awarded $4.1 million to increase women’s participation in apprenticeships and expand job opportunities in nontraditional industries. Apprenticeship Investment The Department awarded more than $22 million in contract investments to 12 industry intermediaries to expand the number of apprenticeship opportunities in growing sectors. Protecting Union Members A proposed rule would increase and enhance financial transparency for unions regulated by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. OFCCP Hotline A new Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs hotline will help combat race and sex stereotyping by federal contractors. Fighting Fraud The Department awarded $8 million to improve information technology and combat fraud in state unemployment insurance programs. Job Corps Reopening The Department announced plans for Job Corps campuses to reopen nationwide, with some centers welcoming students starting Oct. 20. Mine Safety Grants Our Mine Safety and Health Administration recently awarded $400,000 in Brookwood-Sago grants to improve mine safety education and training. STAT OF THE WEEK +877,000 Private-Sector Jobs Private-sector payroll employment increased by 877,000 in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with every industry reporting job gains. The largest gains were in leisure and hospitality (+318,000), retail trade (+142,000), professional and business services (+89,000), transportation and warehousing (+74,000), and manufacturing (+66,000).