Friends:

Here’s the latest news on Governor Granholm’s No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) initiative and complementary programs.

Job Training Offerings Grow at Unprecedented Rate

Michigan’s community colleges, universities and proprietary schools seem to be responding to the No Worker Left Behind initiative in a big way. In particular, they are adding many new courses to the state’s official list of approved training programs that can be funded under NWLB.

In August, the month Governor Granholm launched NWLB, training providers updated or added 951 programs to the list, known as the Career Education Consumer Report or CECR. That’s almost three times as many programs as were updated or added last August (333) and almost twice as many as were added in any month since we began keeping track in 2005! The previous record was 518.

What is more, 114 training providers updated programs or added training sites to the system. That number also represents the most for any month since we started tracking. Last August 75 were added – a year-to-year increase of 50 percent!

More programs at more sites means more choices for NWLB participants to get the training they need in high demand fields. If we are really going to double the number of Michiganders being trained for certificates and degrees that lead to higher skilled jobs that can sustain their family and make Michigan more prosperous in the years ahead, we are going to have to increase training capacity in our state. These very early numbers suggest we’re already on our way.

Almost 2,000 Michiganders Have Begun Training

For the first full month of NWLB, 1,990 individuals enrolled in training. Michigan Works Agencies throughout the state report significant increases in the number of workers participating in their orientation sessions. In some places there are two, three and even five times as many people coming in as they saw before August 1. This gives me high hopes that the number of people entering training will continue to grow as folks go through screening and placement in training programs for in demand jobs in growing and emerging industries that are suited to their abilities and interests.

Growing Online Marketing Firm Sees NWLB as Integral Part of its Expansion Efforts

One growing company in Traverse City is bringing a change of pace to their local community by providing Internet business services to companies from around the globe. Oneupweb has been an innovator in online marketing for more than a decade. Currently, Oneupweb is expanding from its current offices in Lake Leelanau to a 23,000 square foot international headquarters in Traverse City. This expansion will allow Oneupweb to increase services to businesses and add employees to its workforce.

To meet current and future needs for qualified workers, Oneupweb is putting its support behind No Worker Left Behind. Oneupweb CEO Lisa Wehr stated, "We actively support the Governor’s efforts to help Michigan workers acquire the complex skills needed in this new economy. The program should enhance our ongoing recruiting and internal training initiatives. We’re expanding the range of our services in areas that are just hitting the mainstream – podcasting, social media and related online marketing consultation and production." says Wehr. "We’re creating a state-of-the-art facility to house these new resources and will require a steady supply of highly specialized talent to meet future demand."

Visit Oneupweb on the internet at www.OneUpWeb.com

10 Foundations Join to Launch "New Economy" Development Fund

Although all the details have not been worked out, the number has - $100 million. That’s the size of the pot raised to support development in seven counties in southeast Michigan. Several leading foundations including Ford, Kresge, Kellogg and Knight are pooling their resources and investing in Michigan. Steve Hamp, chairman of the initiative’s new governing council, said "much of the fund will be aimed at efforts to create "high-wage, high-knowledge" jobs in the service sector. We know Michigan needs to catch up in this area and that we are lagging."

Ventures like this fit in perfectly with the concept of No Worker Left Behind – focus on training for high-demand occupations, emerging industries and on developing entrepreneurs.

Accelerating Michigan Entrepreneurs - Michigan's Virtual Incubator

Accelerating Michigan Entrepreneurs (AME), a new venture between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) has been formed to help build successful entrepreneurs in Michigan. The group will help business owners set strategic direction, develop leadership skills, round out their management teams, and establish relationships with other companies. The project is designed to increase the vitality and strength of Michigan's small business community.

For more information call: (877) 806-0624 or visit the website https://www.accelmich.org/default.aspx

Workgroups Formed to Tackle NWLB Policy and Implementation

On Thursday September 20th the first meetings of the NWLB Policy and implementation workgroups were held. The groups, made up of representatives from Michigan Works Agencies, Community Colleges and DLEG staff, are scheduled to meet bi-weekly and tackle issues arising during NWLB implementation. If you come across something that you believe may be a subject for one of these committees to handle call the NWLB Hotline at 517.335.1319.

Recent press coverage on No Worker Left Behind

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070914/OPINION03/709140309/-1/ARCHIVE

DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley recently appeared on Comcast Newsmakers. Here’s a link to the interview: http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb/0,1607,7-242-47771---,00.html

Director Cooley and Deputy Director Levin to discuss NWLB

DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley is on the road to talk about No Worker Left Behind with speaking engagements scheduled for:

• Thursday, September 27 - 2007 Upper Great Lakes Economic and Workforce
  Development Summit in Marquette
• Thursday, Oct. 4 - Michigan Career Development Association Conference in
  Waterford
• Monday, Oct 8 - "Ed Alliance" meeting for education associations in Mason

DLEG Deputy Director Andy Levin will be speaking:

• Thursday, September 27 – 2007 Michigan Educators' Apprenticeship &
  Training Association at Delta College, University Center
• Friday September 28 - Hispanic Business Expo (Commission on Spanish
  Speaking Affairs) Panel Discussion Detroit
• Monday, October 8 - Adult Ed Policy Forum - "FIXING THE LEAKY PIPELINE"
  Lansing

Interesting Fact

In 2006 there were 576,338 alumni of Michigan’s three largest state universities living in Michigan, making up 7.3% of Michigan’s population over age 18. These alums earned an estimated $25 billion in salary and wages in 2006 or 13.4% of all wage and salary income in Michigan.

If you have a question, just call the No worker Left Behind hot line 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