WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $800,000 in incremental funding to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support job creation and workforce training services for individuals significantly impacted by widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose in Bristol and Plymouth counties.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant funding of up to $2,368,337 will help create disaster-relief positions to address the impact of the opioid crisis on the local workforce. Funding will support training of eligible individuals with an emphasis on filling high-demand maritime trade professions in the greater New Bedford area.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated workers programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.