Radio Address: No Worker Left Behind
For the podcast of Governor Granholm’s weekly radio address, click here.
This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
With globalization gripping our state’s economy, we’ve set in motion a comprehensive plan to transform Michigan into a 21st century economic powerhouse. Our No Worker Left Behind initiative, which I announced this week in Traverse City, is putting our worker training efforts into overdrive.
I’m proud to announce that citizens across the state can take advantage of our No Worker Left Behind Web site. You can click your way to www.michigan.gov/nwlb (for No Worker Left Behind – NWLB) to learn more.
Here’s how it works: For three years only, we are offering free training to workers who have lost their jobs, or who are ready to advance beyond low-skill jobs. With training, certification and job placement through No Worker Left Behind, Michigan workers can get good-paying jobs and fill existing job-openings. At the website, you can learn what industries and careers are in high-demand in your region, and you can see what training opportunities are available, and you can contact your local Michigan Works! Agency to take the first steps towards qualifying for free tuition in specific areas of need in our economy.
No Worker Left Behind is a huge step forward in Michigan’s economic transformation. Even as I speak, there are tens of thousands of job openings in our state. But these are jobs that are tough to fill because they require training in very specific areas – like nursing or accounting or dental hygiene or auto mechanics.
No Worker Left Behind creates a bridge between Michigan citizens who need specific training and jobs in areas that are critical for economic growth. By training workers to fill existing job openings, No Worker Left Behind will help businesses thrive and push Michigan’s economy forward.
When I announced No Worker Left Behind in Traverse City earlier this week, I met Brenda – who is a mother of three – who is going to benefit from the program. Brenda was laid off from a manufacturing job, but she wants to become a registered nurse. In Michigan, we are facing a nursing shortage – in fact, experts estimate that we will need 18,000 new nurses by 2015. With No Worker Left Behind, Brenda will get free training to become a registered nurse, and she will get help with job placement when her training is complete.
There are thousands of people like Brenda across Michigan who can benefit from No Worker Left Behind. We’re aiming to get 100,000 workers trained and placed in good-paying jobs in the next three years. What a boost this will be for Michigan citizens and for Michigan’s economy!
So, wherever you are in Michigan, I hope that you’ll visit our Web site and see what job openings and training opportunities exist in your area. Go to: www.michigan.gov/nwlb.
In Michigan, it’s time for our people to stop getting left behind in this tough, global economy, and start getting trained. That’s what No Worker Left Behind is all about.
Thank you for listening.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Funny how at the federal level the republican legislature and Bush put all the blame and toxic remarks on the democrats for sending Good legislation that they know Bush in his idiocy will Veto.
Yet here in Michigan, the Republican legislature blames Governor Granholm for vetoing crappy things the republicans send her way.
There is so much double-standard, and hipocrisy in the republican party, and their supporters its insanity.
Today GWB said that ..-before adding a gas tax, which may hurt growth, legislators should review their spending descretion from prioritizing their own needs first.– Yet, thats all that He has done since the day he stepped into office. He has spent and spent our money on freebie gifts to corporations and individuals that helped him get elected. On failed policies and incompetent persons.
Our state republicans follow the same hippocritical insultive, low character patterns of behavior. And obstruct true legislation and planning that would help our state and its people.
In no way shape or form should any legislation help wealthy people- that need no help- in place of helping poor/middle class, or instead – harming poor or middle class citizens for the sake of campaign donors that want more cash loopholes to screw us for their empire building agendas.
thanks for letting me vent.