IN THIS ISSUE:
Shiawassee Woman Wins Fresh Start Through NWLB
More Money for Workers Hurt by Trade
State Funding for NWLB Heads to Conference
No Worker
Left Behind
The training needed to succeed in the global economy
Contact NWLB
Ph: 517 335-1319
Email: nwlb@michigan.gov
No Worker Left Behind News
May 28, 2008
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Tenneco, a global leader in emissions and ride control with nearly 80 manufacturing facilities and 14 engineering centers worldwide, was having problems with newly hired welders at the company’s Marshall facility. They were unable to adjust to welding the specific material used in the Tenneco product. |
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With training resources provided through NWLB, Kellogg Community College met with Tenneco to develop a specific training program for the prospective welders.
NWLB has really paid off for Tenneco – and for more than five dozen Michigan workers. To date, the facility has already hired 68 people with training funded through NWLB and hopes to increase that number to 150.
“Through the hard work and dedication of our employees, we’ve been able to grow our business pretty significantly,” said Tenneco Value Stream Manager Scott Preston.
Congratulations to all those NWLB participants for completing training and getting great new careers, and to Tenneco for winning more business and growing here in Michigan.
Shiawassee Woman Wins Fresh Start Through NWLB
After spending 10 years with a tier one auto supplier, Joanie Crowder found herself laid off – again. But this time, like many Michiganders, she decided to take control of her future and returned to school. With funding from NWLB, Joanie was able to complete the Registered Nursing program at Baker College and graduated with honors in March.
Joanie has already started the orientation process at the Genesys Medical Care Facility in Grand Blanc to begin working in their Intensive Care Unit – right where she wants to be!
We now have enrolled 28,488 people in training through NWLB. Many of these people, like Joanie, have had to make tough, life-changing decisions to pursue the education they know they need to prosper in today’s economy. I applaud each and every one of you who have made these difficult but exciting decisions and would like to reassure the 9,107 on waiting lists that we are doing everything we can to get you into training soon.
More Money for Workers Hurt by Trade
In March, we asked the U.S. Department of Labor to send Michigan an additional $16 million to help workers whose jobs were shipped overseas. Michigan’s entire congressional delegation signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao supporting our request. That’s right, all nine Republicans and all eight Democrats on the same page supporting Michigan workers. Last week we got the good news. The feds have granted our urgent request in full. We will get this money out to the Michigan Works! Agencies ASAP. |
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These dollars help workers who are certified under the U.S. Trade Adjustment Assistance Act as having been harmed by international trade under specific circumstances and represent an important part of our NWLB resources.
State Funding for NWLB Heads to Conference
After the Michigan House of Representatives voted to invest $40 million in NWLB to help Michigan’s employers and workers, it was the state Senate’s turn to take up the issue. The news in the Senate has not been good. On March 20, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted along party lines not to devote any state funds for new training opportunities for Michigan workers through NWLB. The full Senate followed suit on May 27. Sen. Anderson (D–Westland) offered an amendment for $40 million for NWLB, but the amendment failed, again along party line 17–21 vote.
All this means that the decision about how much to invest in NWLB will fall to a House-Senate conference committee and negotiations between House and Senate leaders and the Granholm Administration. So for Michiganders who care about new educational opportunities for workers in our state, now is the time to make your voice heard.
"We're here today because we all believe in workforce development and the impact it can have on our economy and our quality of life…” |
Saginaw County's unemployment rate is up to 8.5 percent, its housing market had more than 1,000 foreclosures last year, and grocery and gasoline prices are racing to see which can go the highest the fastest. |
If you have a question, just call the No Worker Left Behind hotline at 517.335.1319 or email nwlb@michigan.gov. A team member will respond to you promptly.
Look for more news about Michigan’s workforce programs in the coming weeks!
Best Regards,
Andy Levin, Deputy Director
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth
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