December 2, 2005

25 RSAs Giving Workers, Businesses a Competative Edge

LANSING – The Granholm Administration today announced it is establishing eight additional Regional Skills Alliances (RSAs) to make certain job seekers have skills they need for the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow.  David Hollister, director of the Department of Labor & Economic Growth, made the announcement on the Governor’s weekly radio address.
 
“Michigan needs a skilled workforce to give businesses an edge when competition is fierce and margins are tight,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.  “Regional Skills Alliances are a way for us to ensure Michigan has a qualified workforce for Michigan employers and good jobs for Michigan workers.  They dramatically improve the odds that workers can look forward not only to jobs but to rewarding careers in prospering industries.”
 
In Michigan today, there are tens of thousands of job openings and employers who are looking for skilled workers.  The Department of Labor & Economic Growth announced today it is providing $659,602 in grants to establish eight new RSAs, bringing the total number of RSAs in Michigan to 25.  The RSA’s provide targeted training to help those who are unemployed or those who are looking for a new career path learn relevant skills needed for a new job. 
 
“Michigan families depend on the stability of good paying jobs to meet their needs, and our employers depend on the stability of a highly skilled and qualified workforce to keep them rooted and growing here in Michigan,” Hollister said.
 
Governor Granholm is implementing an economic plan to meet Michigan’s economic challenge – from a new, 2 billion dollar initiative to create thousands of new, high-tech jobs, to these Regional Skills Alliances that are building a 21st century workforce.

The Governor’s weekly radio address is released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across that state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  The address will also be available on the Governor’s Website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.

Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm’s radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website. 

Publishers Note: The text of today’s address is attached.