The New Economy Partnerships (NEP) recognizes the unique and varied workforce needs of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.  NEP's collaborative partnership with the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth has resulted in tremendous opportunities to promote economic development and job creation in the ICT sector.  At the same time, offering virtually limitless possibilities for workers to increase their ICT skill sets to meet the specific needs of employers in the industry.

Michigan's strategy for ICT economic transformation is twofold: 1) to better meet the diverse and varied needs of businesses of all sizes through innovative and collaborative partnerships and 2) to enable workers to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in the fast-changing, global, 21^st Century economy.  Two vital workforce development programs have been highly effective in catalyzing Michigan's economic growth: No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) and Michigan Skills Alliances (MiSAs).  These programs work to address employers ' workforce needs through catalyzing partnerships that meet the needs of the business community, in addition to offering job- and ICT industry-specific training to better prepare the workforce to succeed in the ICT sector.

For more information about the New Economy Partnership, please visit their website at http://www.Michigan.gov/nep.