October 17, 2007- Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today awarded $50,000 through the No Worker Left Behind initiative to the Ottawa County Michigan Works!/Community Action Agency, headquartered in Holland, MI.

The funds will help support employment and training services for dislocated workers in Ottawa County, specifically to retrain workers who have been laid off due to the Con Agra plant closure in Holland.

"Providing training to our workers is a key part of our comprehensive economic plan," Granholm said. "This funding will help dislocated Con Agra workers get the skills they need for high-demand careers."

Granholm announced the No Worker Left Behind (NLWB) initiative on August 1; an ambitious plan to train 100,000 citizens in three years for high demand occupations, emerging industries, or entrepreneurial endeavors.  By reorganizing and augmenting federal funds currently used for workforce development, NWLB will provide up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program for qualifying participants. Over 1,300 individuals entered training through NWLB in the first four weeks.  The Governor has asked the Michigan legislature to appropriate $40M of state funds in FY 2008 in order to train enough eligible workers to help diversify and reenergize Michigan's economy.

The federal Workforce Investment Act, the primary funding source for the No Worker Left Behind initiative, makes grant funds available for areas impacted by major plant closings and lay-offs.  The Department of Labor & Economic Growth, the state department that is charged with overseeing the NWLB program, has increased the amount of funding for this type of award through an unprecedented commitment to training.   

To learn more about No Worker Left Behind, visit the NWLB website at www.michigan.gov/nwlb.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.