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.

Michigan receives nearly $6 million for green jobs

Lansing — Michigan was awarded a $5,819,999 federal grant to train 1,000 Michigan residents and place them in green jobs announced Gov. Jennifer Granholm earlier this week.

“This investment will train a thousand Michigan workers for green, in-demand jobs in our state,” Granholm stated in a press release. “These workers will be involved in the fields of advanced battery production, solar energy and energy-efficient building construction.”

This State Energy Sector Partnership Training grant will provide resources to Granholm’s Green Jobs Initiative as well as funding three regional project teams in the following areas:

1. Advanced Energy Storage: A $1.36 billion U.S. Department of Energy grant will be used to create an Advanced Battery Skills Alliance in Southeast Michigan. The alliance will provide undergraduate and graduate-level training and work placement assistance in the advanced energy storage field. Possible occupations include engineers, assemblers, technologists and technicians.

2. Solar Energy: A solar project team in Southeast Michigan and another team in Mid-Michigan will assist in training chemical process technicians, solar engineering technicians and installers.

3. Energy Efficient Construction: A Flint-area energy efficient construction team will train workers for Green Construction and Sustainable Construction certificates, an Associates degree and/or trade apprenticeship opportunities.

“Michigan has been at the forefront nationally in the effort to promote a new clean energy economy and programs leading to good jobs,” stated Stanley Pruss, director of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, in a state press release.

“This award will connect Michigan workers to jobs and career pathways in targeted industries, helping to simultaneously advance the State's integrated energy, workforce and economic development vision and supporting programs,” Pruss said.

Green careers span a range of professions and industries, including the automotive industry, agriculture, building and construction, natural resource conservation, energy production and research and design industries.

To apply for green job training, Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program recommends visiting your local Michigan Works! Agency.