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$1.1M awarded to train displaced Quaker workers

The program set up for Quaker employees who lost their jobs last summer has received an additional $1.1 million for wrap-around services.

The National Emergency grant maintains the Quaker Reemployment Center, which since the fall has provided workshops, occupational training, job placement and other services not covered under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program to that workforce.

The grant provides those and other services for up to 2½ years through June 30, 2009.

The additional $1.1 million announced today brings the total funding for center programs to $1,710,674.

Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy and congressmen Barney Frank and James McGovern said the new funding of $1,093,159 was awarded to the state Department of Workforce Development, which administers the grant.

"This is a lifeline to the hundreds of workers in Fall River who abruptly lost their jobs last summer," Kerry said. "These are hardworking people who played by the rules, and this funding will help them get back on their feet and find new jobs in these difficult economic times."

Frank, calling the funds a positive step, also said, "current law does not provide adequately for workers in this situation, and I regret that we can't do more."

Quaker, a noted international fabric manufacturer, could not sustain substantial expansion debt after building its workforce to nearly 3,000 workers about five years ago.

"I think the center has served a very viable role in assisting these clients," said James Calkins, director of the Bristol County Career Center, which administers the reemployment center. "The tasks ahead of them are very daunting with the economy in a downtown.

"We are very pleased," Calkins said after hearing about the grant award. He said local officials had contacted Kerry's office about the funding. During the interim, he said Workforce Development has provided "carry-over funds" to ensure programs continue.

John Souza, director of the Quaker Reemployment Center, set up Sept. 24 in the Cherry & Webb building on South Main St., said 761 of the 930 laid-off Quaker workers have participated in the program. Of that total, 485 of those remain in active training.

Souza said to date 215 participants are employed and 115 of those workers received jobs with the Canadian firm that purchased half the Quaker assets last fall, Victor Innovative Textiles.

Another 15 employed participants were given jobs at American dryer. A portion of the Quaker work force was from Rhode Island or obtained other jobs, Souza said.

He oversees a center staff of seven, four of whom lost their jobs at Quaker.

A joint statement by the congressional lawmakers said they encouraged the U.S. Department of Labor to take all appropriate steps to provide worker training.