The Trade and Economic Transition National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWDs) provides funding for applicants to address ongoing or emerging workforce and economic challenges by providing training and career services to dislocated workers seeking reentry into the workforce, and increasing their skill levels to become competitive for growing or high-demand employment opportunities.

ETA has identified three types of Economic Transitions that qualify applicants for DWG funds:
– job loss or employer/industrial reorganization due to trade or automation;
– the loss, significant decline, or major structural change/reorganization of a primary or legacy industry in a regional economy, such as the manufacturing downturn due to technological advances, impacts on the agricultural industry due to trade, or other economic trends; or
– other Economic Transition or stagnation that may be disproportionately impact mature workers, putting them at risk for extended unemployment, lower wages, underemployment, and more

Eligible applicants are states or outlying areas, or a consortium of states; local workforce development boards (WDBs), or a consortium of WDBs; an entity described in Section 166(c) of WIOA (relating to Indian and Native American programs); other entities determined appropriate by the Governor of the State; or other entities that demonstrate to the Secretary of Labor the capability to respond effectively to circumstances relating to particular dislocations.