September 24, 2004

As part of her plan for making Michigan the economic powerhouse state of the 21^st century, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) Director David C. Hollister today announced the state will award $1.2 million in competitive grants for a new initiative designed to help develop entrepreneurship educational programs in high schools and community colleges.   

 “Entrepreneurship plays an important role in growing our economy,” Granholm said. “It is critical that we develop a supportive educational environment for our young people that instills entrepreneurial thinking so they can see themselves as innovators, producers of jobs and financial success.”

Each of the 25 existing Tech Prep Consortia may apply for the grant. Grants will be funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998. In November the grants will be announced. The grant period will run from November 15, 2004, through August 31, 2005.

The initiative is led by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Career Education Programs, which is charged with improving the state’s infrastructure for entrepreneurship advocacy and support.

 “The goal of the initiative is two-fold,” Hollister said. “First, we want to develop postsecondary entrepreneurship certificate and degree programs, including an accelerated associate’s degree in entrepreneurship for high school and college students. Second, we’ll encourage schools to offer grade-level-appropriate entrepreneurship curricula to ensure that all high school students graduate with knowledge of what it takes to start and run a business. It’s an opportunity for secondary and postsecondary institutions to work collaboratively with input from business and industry.”

The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth is the state government agency charged with providing the skilled workforce Michigan needs to enhance and maintain its economy.  To this end, the state’s career and training agency is working with employers, K-12 schools, community colleges and local Workforce Development Boards to operate a comprehensive career development system.  For more information about the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, visit the department’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/dleg.