Michigan’s share of WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker dollars – the core funding for NWLB – has been cut by $72M (39%) from July 2008 to July 2010.

Since we are putting more workers into longer term training – and the federal system does not allocate money for the entirety of a worker’s training when she or he begins – a higher percentage of our funds must be used to continue the training of workers who began the previous year.

The large federal formula funding cut combined with our emphasis on longer term training mean that most of the money coming to Michigan for Program Year 2010, beginning July 1, must be used to continue the training of people who have already begun.

We will make sure that everyone who has already begun training completes it.

Everyone who was on the NWLB waiting list and had completed all the steps to prepare for training as of June 28, 2010 will be contacted by their local Michigan Works! office to determine if they are still interested in starting training. We will do everything possible to fund training for everyone who was on the waiting list.

As of July 1, 2010, we will no longer maintain a statewide waiting list.

Because federal law requires that 85% of WIA dollars be distributed to the Michigan Works! agencies by formula, each of the 25 agencies has a different funding situation.  Some will have enough money only to continue the training of people already in the program; others may have money to help new people begin training.

Each Michigan Works! Agency will announce to its local community when it has funds available for new people to enter training.

Michigan workers should continue to go to their local Michigan Works! offices regardless of the local situation to take advantage of the many reemployment services available and to explore and prepare for training if funds become available.  All workers found to be eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance will be able to enter training regardless of the status of other funds.

Michigan will continue to seek all possible extra federal and philanthropic funds to expand the number of workers we can train for new careers through No Worker Left Behind.

We will immediately initiate an effort with Michigan Works! Agencies and community colleges to expand the number of workers who qualify for Pell Grants.