(From Freep.com) Most of those who completed job retraining during the first 18 months of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program either kept their jobs or gained new employment, according to a state review.

Of the nearly 34,360 people who finished training between August 2007 and February 2009, about 24,700, or 72%, either retained work or got a new job, while about 9,660, or 28%, were still looking for a job, according to the report being released Monday. It found more than 16,840 kept their jobs and about 7,860 found new employment.

No Worker Left Behind offers up to $10,000 over two years to workers who attend community colleges or other training programs. It’s overseen by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, which compiled the review.

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Tags: economy, jobs, careers, michigan

Categories: The Economy

A sign at the front desk told the grim news that NWLB funds had been depleted and there was no word on when funding would be available.

Nearly 30 people from as far away as Warren had hoped to learn of their options for returning to school. No Worker Left Behind is the free tuition program announced by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2007 to provide unemployed or underemployed Michigan residents with up to two years of training or education to compete in the 21st century global economy.

The good news is that the federally-funded NWLB program is not coming to a halt. Not all Michigan Works! agencies have run out of money. As the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance serving Wayne County has said, those who qualify will continue to go through the process and be placed on a waiting list until funds become available.

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Tags: michigan, job training, federal funding, budget

Categories: News

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today commended the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) for its "Take a Stand Day" to provide one-on-one consultations with employers to identify ways to effectively address health and safety issues in the workplace, without fear of citations or fines.

"We are pleased that MIOSHA is willing to partner with Michigan job providers to help them improve the safety and health in work environments," said Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber. "We agree with MIOSHA that having an effective system to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses is an important part of being successful in today's global economy."

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Tags: michigan, workplace, health and safety

Categories: News