Date of Issue:  08/28/2003

Office of Issue: AWI-03-30

Reference: The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 (P.L.107-210); title I of the Act amends the Trade Act of 1974.  WIA  of 1998 (P.L.105-220)
 	
STATE OF FLORIDA
    		AGENCY FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION	  

AWI Communiqué

DATE:		August 28, 2003

TO:		Regional Workforce Boards (RWBs)

FROM:	Lois A. Scott, Program Manager, One Stop Program Support

SUBJECT:     Use of NEG Funds for Training for Trade-Certified Workers

PURPOSE: 
To provide clarification to Regional Workforce Boards on obligating National Emergency Grant Funds (NEG). Trade Act Training Funds must be obligated prior to obligating Nation Emergency Grant (NEG) Funds.

Background:
The guidelines for applying for NEG funds to address the shortfall of Trade Program training resources provided that “…NEG funds once awarded will be used for trade-certified workers only when all Trade Act training funds have been obligated (emphasis added) (except funds for program administration);…”  The Comments and Conditions statement contained in the award documents for the grants contained the following language: “…NEG funds once awarded will be used for trade-certified workers only when all Trade Act training funds which have been obligated have been expended (emphasis added) (except funds for program administration:)….”

The conditions pertaining to the use of the NEG funds awarded for these dual-enrollment grants are changed to authorize the use of these NEG funds when all Trade Act funds have been obligated, except for the funds needed for program administration.  With this clarification, however, there needs to be some understanding of the nature of the obligations for training under the Trade Act as used here.  As used here, obligations are those legal commitments for training for Trade Act eligible individuals and are not obligations to a service provider to assist these eligible workers some time into the future.  Likewise, States are expected to restrict obligations to meet the immediate training needs of workers and not record as obligations commitments for some future training required to complete a course of study.

Questions should be directed to Nancy Hawkins at 404-562-2103 or Pete Fleming at 404-562-2122.

ACTION REQUIRED: Disseminate to Regional Workforce Boards 

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