Tallahassee, FL - Today, President Obama announced new proposals that will help more unemployed workers attend community college and allow workers to continue receiving unemployment benefits while they are enrolled in college and/or training programs.  Florida Democratic Party Spokesman Eric Jotkoff issued the following statement on the President's program:

"Today President Obama announced new plans to give thousands of unemployed Americans in Florida and around the country an extra hand by empowering them to learn new skills and get ahead in their careers.  The Obama Administration will work with our Florida's leaders to make sure that Floridians don't have to choose between furthering their education and staying afloat. 

"Under the President's program, Floridians who have lost their jobs will now be eligible to receive federal financial aid - so they can stay enrolled in school despite losing their incomes - or have the opportunity to go back to school without losing their unemployment benefits. And the Federal Pell Grant program will soon provide up to $5,350 for educational costs at community colleges, colleges and universities, and many trade and technical schools.

"We know that someone who doesn't have a college degree is more than twice as likely to be unemployed as someone who does.  The Obama Administration's plans to expand educational opportunities will help unemployed Floridians learn the skills they need to not just get through these hard times, but to be more competitive once our economy recovers. 

"President Obama thinks it's important to help workers here in Florida and across the nation gain access to higher education, acquire more skills and become more competitive.  His program will also make sure that a period of unemployment is no longer just a time to look for a new job, but a time to prepare for a better job. I applaud the President's continued efforts to give Floridians the skills and education they need to succeed in today's economy and build a foundation for strong economic growth."

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