Published: May 7, 2010
Fox 29

New Program In PA Aims To Help Unemployed

In Pennsylvania, there are almost 600,000 people unemployed. Thousands are running out of unemployment benefits.

Fox 29’s Julie Kim brings introduces us to new program that will hopefully change these numbers.

It is called Way To Work. It is part of a statewide initiative to put 20,000 people to work at jobs that pay up to $13.00 per hour.

For the program to work, employers (public, private and non-profit) need to sign up to provide those positions. The unemployed can then apply for the jobs at careerlink offices. These offices will send the applicants off to their interview. Funding for this program will end on September 30th. The hope is the employers will decide to keep the workers.

Julie adds that there are working in Washington to extend this program for an additional year. Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation has applied for $40 million and should hear in a few days if it has been approved.