FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2008

Lansing—Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the Macomb/ St Clair Michigan Works! agency topped all Michigan Works! agencies (MWA) in the state for placing No Worker Left Behind-funded workers in to training for new jobs.  In the first 11 months of the No Worker Left Behind Initiative, The Macomb / St. Clair MWA enrolled 2271 people in training and educational programs to prepare them for jobs in Michigan’s emerging economy.

The Governor also praised Macomb Community College, where 423 No Worker Left Behind students have trained or are training for new careers.

“Macomb County is a leader in our effort to train 100,000 Michigan workers for good jobs, today and tomorrow,” said Granholm. “With the hard work of our Michigan Works! agencies and their innovative partners like Macomb Community College and local employers, No Worker Left Behind will put thousands of workers in to new high-wage jobs in the years ahead.”

Burtek Incorporated, a Macomb County employer, works regularly with the Macomb / St. Clair MWA to test and hire employees.  Since the No Worker Left Behind initiative’s inception on August 1, 2007, Burtek has hired several highly-skilled workers who completed No Worker Left Behind-funded job training at Macomb Community College. 

“Burtek is primarily a military fabricator, making vehicles stronger for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, and for our own homeland security forces,” said Barb Van Syckel, Corporate Recruiter for Burtek Incorporated.  “We have a special place in our hearts for veterans, and Michigan Works! and No Worker Left Behind has helped us find and train many veterans for good jobs in our facilities.”

Two years ago, April Pritchett lost her job in the mortgage industry.  She had earned an associate of arts degree years before, but knew she needed additional training to find another job.  April contacted the Macomb / St. Clair Michigan Works! agency, enrolled in business classes at Macomb Community College, and found a new, high-wage job with a mortgage company.

“I’m no spring chicken, so when I lost my job, not only did I need job training, I needed help with my resume, and preparing to look for work,” said Pritchett.  “With the help of the Macomb / St. Clair MWA and No Worker Left Behind, I enrolled in Macomb Community College and got a great job to support my family.  I also learned about Macomb’s early entry program for high school students.  Last year my 12th grade son attended M.C.C. with me.”

No Worker Left Behind, which started in August 2007, provides up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program.  Qualifying participants must earn certification or degree needed in a high-demand occupation or gain the entrepreneurial skills needed to start their own businesses.  When she launched the program, Granholm set the goal of training 100,000 citizens in three years for jobs in high demand occupations and emerging industries.  To date, 31,000 Michigan workers have enrolled in training programs around the state, more than 11,000 have completed their training, and another 9,100 are on waiting lists for training.

The second year of the program will feature the Green Jobs Initiative, a $6 million investment in training for jobs in alternative energy industries, including wood, solar, biofuels, geothermal, and other green industries.  The Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) will partner with 11 community colleges, entrepreneurs, and employers to create the training programs needed to help green companies succeed in Michigan.