September 29, 2009
September 29, 2009
8,600 workers in 24 counties will receive job retraining and career support services
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan has been awarded $38 million by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to provide job retraining and career support services for 8,600 dislocated workers in 24 counties. The National Emergency Grants (NEGs) are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).
"These Recovery Act funds will enable the state to provide job training to more than 8,600 additional workers affected by the contraction of the auto industry," said Granholm. "We fought hard to bring this money to Michigan and worked closely with Secretary Solis and our congressional delegation to ensure that we are able to provide thousands of dislocated workers the chance to start new careers in the sectors that are driving the diversification of Michigan's economy."
The funding was awarded for three regions covering the counties of Allegan, Bay, Berrien, Cass, Genesee, Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, and Wayne.
National Emergency Grants are discretionary grants awarded by the Secretary of Labor to provide employment-related services for dislocated workers. The grants are intended to temporarily expand service capacity at the state and local levels by providing time-limited funding assistance in response to significant dislocation events. Funding is available to dislocated workers in the region for one year from the date of the award. Workers dislocated today and those who become dislocated over the next two months are eligible to receive training and support services.
"We are committed to aggressively competing for additional funding to provide services Michigan's citizens so desperately need," said Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) Deputy Director Andy Levin. "It is our goal to continue offering long-term training through No Worker Left Behind to as many qualified individuals as possible."
The DELEG is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.
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