February 07, 2006
February 7, 2006
Program has matched over 20,000 unemployed citizens with jobs
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded the success of the MI Opportunity Partnership in its first year and identified the next steps the program will take to continue and expand its efforts. MI Opportunity Partnership is part of Granholm’s five-point plan to create jobs, restructure and diversify Michigan’s economy, change the state’s business tax structure, and expand access to higher education.
“Even as Michigan continues to feel the impact of changing global economy, there are thousands of jobs across Michigan that sit unfilled,” Granholm said. “Our intense job training efforts, including MI Opportunity Partnership, are succeeding in identifying those jobs, providing needed training, and matching unemployed citizens.”
The Governor announced today that more than 20,000 citizens have already been matched with jobs through the MI Opportunity pledge drive that was launched last May. As a result of the pledge drive, accelerated funding for health care training and the activities of the Michigan Works! agencies and Regional Skills Alliances operating across the state, MI Opportunity Partnership is on track to meet its first-year goal.
The Governor reiterated her commitment to expanding activities of the MI Opportunity Partnership to match 40,000 citizens with jobs in the second year of the program, and she announced that this week, a second pledge drive letter will be sent to more than 230,000 employers across Michigan. The letter, which once again asks employers to pledge existing job openings to the program, also highlights a number of expanded services provided by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG). In addition, the Governor highlighted the critical role the state’s community colleges play in providing needed job training and workforce development.
“A critical component of our aggressive economic plan is developing and maintaining a skilled workforce,” said Granholm. “DLEG, in partnership with our outstanding community colleges, will renew our focus on job training to ensure that every Michigan citizen has the skills needed to succeed.”
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