U.S. Department of Labor providing $1.3 million to aid seasonal and low income ag workers in Arkansas

Arkansas agriculture workers, especially those identified as low income seasonal or migrant farmworkers, will continue to receive counseling, training and support, through renewed funding to the Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC).

About $1.305 million was recently distributed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA), through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP).

The funding will cover the cost of assessment, counseling, training, and support for unemployed or underemployed farm workers.

Tuition, assistance with books and supplies, transportation and an hourly stipend will be available to eligible farm workers, their spouses and dependents to help them obtain full-time employment within or outside farm work.

The definition of farm work has also been expanded to include some jobs in the food processing, fisheries and forestry fields.

AHDC is a 52-year-old private non-profit organization with offices across Arkansas. It has extensive experience coordinating services with both public and private training institutions, such as community colleges, truck driving, nursing and welding schools.

AHDC staff, most of which are co-located in Arkansas Workforce Centers, has broad experience identifying and placing clients in public and private sector employment. Services will be available for the period through September 30, 2024.