Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins announced today that Maine's Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) will receive an extension of federal funding in order to keep the program in operation past the end of this month. VWIP, which is run by the Training Resource Center (TRC) in Portland, would have shut down on June 30th because of a gap between this year's and next year's federal contracts that provide funding for the program. But Senator Collins asked the U.S. Secretary of Labor to provide an extension of funding in order to maintain vital services to Maine veterans during the contract gap. Today, the U.S. Department of Labor approved a six-month extension for VWIP, including $385,000 in funding to provide training and services for an additional 124 Maine veterans.
"I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Labor recognized the important work being done by Maine's Veterans Workforce Investment Program," said Senator Collins. "The cost of letting the program expire would have been borne by the veterans who rely on VWIP for help. This extension allows the Training Resource Center to continue providing vital assistance to veterans seeking employment, including those who are returning to Maine from active duty in Iraq."
The goal of VWIP to is reintegrate unemployed veterans into the workforce through employment counseling, job development, and assistance with training costs. Maine is one of only eight states that currently have a Veterans Workforce Investment Program. Maine's VWIP provides services to more than 400 Maine veterans each year.
Tom Nickerson, Executive Director of the Training Resource Center, said, "This is welcome news for the Training Resource Center and for Maine veterans. We are grateful to Senator Collins for her assistance in helping Maine veterans receive critical employment services."
###