Workforce Investment Act- National Emergency Grants (Wood Structures)

Award Description: Wood Structures, Inc., which manufactures wood trusses and sells engineered wood products for home building, shut down its Biddeford, ME headquarters and its manufacturing facility in Saco, ME on March 16, 2009. As a result, the Company was required to lay off its 174 person workforce. The business of Wood Structures has been severely and adversely affected by the sudden downturn in the U.S. economy and the unprecedented decline in the New England residential construction market in which Wood Structures operates. Workers are faced with limited reemployment options. Eighty-seven workers have completed Rapid Response surveys. Sixty-five percent have requested access to job skills training due to the decline in construction-related employment in southern Maine. In addition to the lack of similar employment opportunities, only 20 percent of the survey respondents have more than a high school diploma, increasing their need for retraining if they are to obtain employment and replace their wages which range from $14 to $30 per hour.

Project Name: Workforce Investment Act- National Emergency Grants (Wood Structures)

Quarterly Activities Description: 49 of the 87 planned participants were enrolled (56 percent enrollment rate). With the exception of the full time peer support worker, all of the part time staff contributed time to assist with support services for the participants to develop job skills, training and provide support services to the dislocated workers. All measures met plan except entered employment which was due to poor economy. The length of time required to get workers back in the job market in this economy increased substantially. The approximately 8% balance in the grant is due to the cost of retraining being less than anticipated for this group. All payments to vendors under this agreement have been made and we anticipate no claims against the $139,525.35 unexpended balance.