OCTOBER 22, 2008 - Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director Keith W. Cooley (DLEG) announced today a partnership with the University of Michigan for an expansion of the "Michigan Business: Surviving to Thriving" (MB:S2T) program. The program will transform at-risk small and mid-size Michigan businesses so they are not only able to compete in today's global marketplace but continue to expand and contribute to the state's economy in the years ahead.
"Michigan has the most aggressive and comprehensive plan to strengthen our economy, help small businesses grow, and create jobs," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. "We are committed to using every tool in our economic toolbox to help small business thrive here in Michigan."
"The purpose of ‘Surviving to Thriving' is to build a statewide system to support Michigan businesses and provide them with tools to develop solutions for global competitiveness, minimize the number of at-risk businesses, prevent business closures, downsizing and layoffs," Cooley said. "Through this partnership we will also help businesses thrive by improving their profitability and overall efficiency while also investing in Michigan's economic future."
DLEG's Bureau of Workforce Transformation is partnering with UM-Ann Arbor's Institute for Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy through 2011 as part of DLEG's No Worker Left Behind initiative. No Worker Left Behind, which started in August 2007,and MB:S2T are part of a comprehensive plan to transform Michigan's economy. Both initiatives are employer-driven, and will capitalize on training to meet the needs of Michigan's employers. No Worker Left Behind provides up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program. MB:S2T will address the training needs of Michigan's incumbent workers.
"We are very excited to collaborate with the Institute, which has a successful track record of partnering with state and federal agencies, businesses, unions, local leaders, and economic development groups for more than 25 years," said DLEG Deputy Director Andy Levin. "We'll be able to use UM's world-renowned research capacity and innovative programs to identify at-risk industries and firms. We will concentrate efforts on a minimum of 60 economically vulnerable businesses a year to give them the tools they need to thrive in the global economy and provide jobs for our highly-trained No Worker Left Behind workers." Marian Krzyzowski, Director of UM's Institute for Research on Labor, Employment and the Economy, said the MB:S2T team will be helping businesses to avert revenue decline and layoffs and get back on track to success.
"Our team will be working very closely to develop a comprehensive industry specific strategy for success so we need 100 percent commitment from our business partners. Our first step is to conduct a very thorough on-site assessment which will involve everything from review of financial records, productivity and efficiency of the workplace, customer satisfaction and diversification, to sales and marketing, evaluation of the executive team and training of staff and new hires," said Krzyzowski. "The entire process is intensive, however for many of these businesses it can mean the difference between shutting down the business forever or reaching their true potential and contributing to our state's economy."
For more information, please contact: Marcia Black-Watson, DLEG Bureau of Workforce Transformation Deputy Director-Employers, at 517-335-5858 or Steve Wilson, UM's Project Manager/Director for MB:S2T 734-998-6221 or sbwilson@umich.edu.
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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