LANSING--State Senator Glenn S. Anderson (D-Westland) today praised the kick-off of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) effort, a worker development program that emphasizes linking training to existing jobs. In April, Anderson passed an amendment to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) budget that made possible funding for many of the displaced worker programs included in NWLB.

“The ability of displaced workers to compete in our changing economy--and the resulting prosperity of our communities--directly relates to the training we make available for workers,” said Anderson. “This crucial program will help bring jobs to our community, fill the needs of local companies, and give thousands of workers a second chance at success.”

The federal Workforce Investment Act provides funding for worker retraining programs. NWLB allows workers to use that funding for higher education programs at colleges or universities, for instance Schoolcraft College, as well as training programs; Anderson’s initiative ensures that programs run by local school districts are also eligible. Both Livonia and Wayne-Westland Schools operate career technical programs separate from the intermediate school districts eligible for this funding.

“Training workers for the jobs that are actually available is crucial to bringing success to our local economy,” Anderson said.

To take part in NWLB, participants must earn a certification or degree needed in a high-demand occupation or gain the entrepreneurial skills necessary to start their own businesses. By 2012, Michigan will have a shortage of 334,000 skilled workers. Eligibility includes any person who is currently unemployed, who has received a notice or termination or layoff from employment, or whose family income is $40,000 or less. Participants must be at least 18 years old, must not have graduated from high school within the last two years, and must not be full-time college students. They have three years to sign up for the program.

Partners in the No Worker Left Behind initiative include Michigan's 28 community colleges, the Michigan Community Colleges Association, the Michigan Works! Association and 25 Michigan Works! agencies, the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, four-year colleges and universities, and licensed proprietary schools.

The Governor proposed NWLB in her 2007 State of the State address. For more information about NWLB, call Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKS (9675) or go to the NWLB website at www.michigan.gov/nwlb.

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Anderson represents the sixth state senate district which includes the communities of Livonia, Westland, Garden City, and Redford Township. He also serves as the Assistant Democratic Floor Leader.