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Macomb County is a national leader in innovative and effective training programs. President Obama visited recently and was introduced by a re-trained worker and today the U.S. Department of Labor announced a nearly $1 million grant to the Macomb / St. Clair Workforce Development Board so that they can lead in starting a new program to help unemployed workers 55 years and older throughout southeast Michigan.
We all know people getting laid off later in their work life, many before they are ready and financially able to retire. The new program is going to establish a system to help unemployed older workers navigate and take advantage of the workforce and training services available in their local areas. The current One Stop Career Centers will facilitate the process of career exploration, development of appropriate career ladders, selection of vocational training and/or basic skills remediation, as well as provide job search, assessment, and case management assistance to older workers. Macomb Community College is enhancing its Credit for Prior Learning program so that older workers will have easier access to opportunities to obtain credit for their prior experience, helping them to earn a degree/credential in a shorter period of time.
Hats off to John Bierbusse, the Executive Director of the Macomb / St Clair Workforce Development Board who is the innovate leader behind so many of these efforts, and Dr. Jim Jacobs, President of Macomb Community College who is always on hand to create and implement effective training and academic programs. Both of them have a vast amount of experience and a real understanding of the needs of workers in these challenging economic times.
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