Federal grant to retrain laid-off T-Mobile workers

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Wednesday a $198,495 National Emergency Grant to provide job training and support services to about 120 workers affected by the closure of T-Mobile USA Inc.’s facility in Redmond.

“The telecommunications industry is highly competitive, and these workers face challenges in finding re-employment comparable to the jobs they lost,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates.

“This federal grant will provide re-employment and retraining services so that impacted workers can more effectively compete for new jobs in growing local industries,” Oates added.

The funding, awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, will help eligible workers find re-employment in the state in conjunction with services they will receive as a result of their eligibility for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits.

Bellevue, Wash.-based T-Mobile is the American subsidiary of German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom AG. In March 2012, T-Mobile workers at the Redmond location were given notice of that facility’s pending closure.

Consumer Cellular later opened a call center at the location.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.