Wednesday, January 27, 2010

No Worker Left Behind, is it the right choice for you?

Are you unemployed in Michigan?

If your answer is yes, then the state of Michigan may have a solution for you.

Roughly 110,00 Michigan residents have returned to school for further job training through Michigan's "No Worker Left Behind" (NWLB) program, reports a Fox News blog. Of the program's graduates, 72 percent have found work in their new careers.

The program, which began two years ago, offers up to $10,000-worth of tuition for two years of education at a community college, university or other approved training program.

As Michigan jobs are transitioning away from manufacturing to more computerized professions, more and more workers statewide are taking advantage of this program. A Fox News blogger reports the waiting list already has reached 16,000 hopeful participants.

Enrolling 100,000 residents by November 2009 - 10 months earlier than expected - the NWLB program has exceeded initial expectations, and the Great Lakes state has acquired emergency grants to keep the program alive and assisting Michigan's workforce.

Michigan residents who are unemployed, have received a termination or layoff notice, or have a family income of less than $40,000 qualify for the program. Receiving unemployment benefits does not disqualify residents from enrolling.

To apply, residents should visit their local Michigan Works! Agency. To find your nearest Michigan Works! location, click this link: http://www.michiganworks.org/ or call 1-800-285-WORK (9675).

The first steps include attending a NWLB orientation and completing various assessments.

With career and course advising and financial aid eligibility, program participants can receive a post-secondary certificate or degree for their desired field.

Training programs that qualify for NWLB are generally entrepreneurial, in high demand or emerging sector occupations, such as many professions in the alternative and renewable energy industry. High demand occupations vary across the state, so potential participants should look at the NWLB web page, http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb/0,1607,7-242-47890---,00.html, to find which jobs are needed in their area.

Upon completion of secondary-education training, the NWLB program offers job placement counseling, resume building assistance and a job search through the Michigan Talent Bank.

For more information about the "No Worker Left Behind" program, visit http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb.

1 comment:

  1. this looks like a great opportunity for people! thanks for posting it!

    i would like to know, does this cost taxpayers money? how is this program being funded? did i miss it?

    ReplyDelete