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Contact: Marilynn Fryer
(517) 796-8466
e-mail: FryerMarilynT@jccmi.edu
August 1st, 2007
For immediate release

Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind offers funds for college

Michigan is taking the next step to help thousands of unemployed – and underemployed – individuals who need new skills and training to transition to a new career.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s No Worker Left Behind initiative provides dislocated and low-wage workers with up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program. Qualifying individuals must pursue an associate degree or occupational certificate in a high-demand occupation, emerging industry or entrepreneurship program.

“Investing in worker training to ensure that our workers have the skills they need to succeed in a global economy is a key part of our comprehensive economic plan,” Granholm said. “There’s no better investment than helping our people move forward and get trained for new careers.”

Michigan’s economy is in the midst of fundamental transition: more than 300,000 workers have lost their job since 2000. At the same time, employers across the State are facing a shortage of workers with the skills and education necessary to fill jobs in advanced manufacturing, health care, biotech, renewable energy, and other growing sectors. A 2005 study by the Michigan League for Human Services projects that by 2012, the state will have a shortage of 334,000 skilled workers.

No Worker Left Behind aims to accelerate workers’ transitions into new careers and meet the need of employers who need highly skilled, educated workers to grow their businesses. Any Michigan resident who is unemployed, has been notified of an imminent layoff, or whose family income is $40,000 or less is eligible for free tuition under No Worker Left Behind. Participants must be at least 18 years old, must not have graduated from high school in the last two years, and must not be full-time college students.

“The State of Michigan is recognizing that investing in the people of Michigan is our best road to economic recovery and sustainability,” said Charlotte Finnegan, dean of student services and foundation studies. “This is a great opportunity for workers to update skills and develop new ones.”

Eligible participants have three years to participate in this one-time offer, beginning on Aug. 1, 2007. Workers who may be eligible for free tuition assistance under No Worker Left Behind are encouraged to contact the local South Central Michigan Works! Agency in Jackson’s Commonwealth Commerce Center, 209 E. Washington St., Suite 100, or in Adrian in the Lenawee County Human Services Building, 1040 S. Winter St., Adrian; and in Hillsdale, 21 Care Drive, Hillsdale.

For more information, visit www.jccmi.edu/nwlb or www.michigan.gov/nwlb.