Displaced NASA workers get $15 million from Labor

The Labor Department announced a $15 million grant on Wednesday aimed at helping more than 3,200 contractors who will lose their jobs when NASA's space shuttle program ends later this year.

The grant awarded to the Brevard Workforce Development Board will be used for career guidance, job training and continuing education for employees of aerospace contractors working on the shuttle program. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced the grant during a visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Fla., on Wednesday.

"Today, these hard-working Americans need and deserve our support, and I am pleased that this grant will allow them to upgrade their skills further and gain access to work opportunities in high demand industries," Solis said.

Up to 20,000 workers may be laid off as a result of the closing of the shuttle program, which has drawn fierce opposition from lawmakers representing states where NASA has a large footprint. Up to 7,000 of the layoffs are expected in Brevard County, where Kennedy Space Center is located.

"We must take every step possible to maintain the Space Coast's highly-skilled workforce, and this grant will provide critical support to workers and help them find new job opportunities in our community," said Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, (D-Fla.). "At the same time, I will continue working to minimize the human spaceflight gap and attract new businesses to the Space Coast in order to strengthen and diversify our economy."

The grants are part of Labor's National Emergency Grants program, which can fund temporary expansions to workforce training and employment programs in areas that experience "large, unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses." The grants are part of the Secretary of Labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines.