On Friday May 7, 2009, President Obama announced his intent review the nation's job training programs and, as part of that effort, announced a new program for states and colleges to help the jobless seek education and training without losing their unemployment benefits.

The President's new program will help unemployed workers access education and training opportunities to upgrade their skills by encouraging schools and colleges to adjust Pell Grant and other financial aid packages.

As part of the new initiative, the Employment and Training Administration released, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 21-08, which strongly encourage states to: (1) broaden their definition of approved training for Unemployment Insurance (UI) beneficiaries during economic downturns, (2) notify UI beneficiaries of their potential eligibility for Pell Grants and other student aid, and (3) help individuals apply for Pell Grants through One-Stop Career Centers.

More information can be found at OPPORTUNITY.GOV, a new website featuring Educational Opportunities for Unemployed Workers. In addition, please click here for a statement on this new program by USDOL Secretary Hilda Solis.

The President said in the weeks to come he would lay out a "fundamental rethinking of our job training, vocational education, and community college programs. "It's time to move beyond the idea that we need several different programs to address several different problems -- we need one comprehensive policy that addresses our comprehensive challenges," said President Obama.

While announcing the new plan at the White House, the President said his idea is to "fundamentally change our approach to unemployment in this country, so that it's no longer just a time to look for a new job, but is also a time to prepare yourself for a better job." He indicated he would propose "changing senseless rules that discourage displaced workers from getting the education and training they need to find and fill the jobs of the future.

The President's remarks can be found at THE White House by clicking here.