No Worker Left Hanging

American Society of Employers - Update Articles, August 2007
by: Pat Goggin

Governor Jennifer Granholm unveiled her long-awaited - No Worker Left Behind program on August 1st.

The program is designed to retrain upwards of 100,000 displaced Michigan workers to prepare them with what the Governor describes as, complex skills needed in cutting-edge industries that will fuel future economic growth.



The vision is that workers who take advantage of this opportunity will be at the front of the line and able to take advantage of high-demand jobs such as those found in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology and renewable energy. The program also targets entrepreneurial endeavors.

The program is generous; an individual may qualify for up to $5,000 per year for two years at a state college or university, as well as at licensed proprietary schools such as ASE. The program even provides resources for childcare.

One does not need to be unemployed to take advantage of the program. Any person who has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment, or any employed person with a family income of $40,000 or less, may qualify, according to a fact sheet put out by the Governor's office.
Participants must, however, complete a skills assessment administered by Michigan Works!

The program takes into account the business climate in the different regions of the State. It will align training opportunities geographically with high-demand occupations available in that region.

Michigan Works! will assist these new workers in finding opportunities, as well as work with employers to identify qualified applicants. Participants must pursue either an associate's degree or occupational certificate in a high-demand occupation. Completion of a Bachelor�s degree or even a Master's degree may also qualify.

Those interested and qualified may begin the process immediately, but they need to be confident of their decision; this is a one-time offer and available on a first-come, first-served basis. An individual has three years in which to sign up and four years in which to complete the program

To fund the program, the Governor plans to use $37 million of federal money formerly earmarked for job training. Despite the current budget crunch in the state, the Governor hopes for an eventual $40 million of additional state funding. Ms. Granholm says that by redirecting federal funds currently used for job training, the program will make Michigan more attractive to job-creating businesses.

For additional information about No Worker Left Behind, call Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKs, or e-mail them at nwlb@michigan.gov, or visit their website at:
www.michigan.gov/nwlb">http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb">www.michigan.gov/nwlb

Source:
www.michigan.gov; http://www.michigan.gov/documents/nwlb/NWLB_FAQ_final1_201864_7.pdf

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/nwlb/Update3_Aug07_204557_7.pdf