ETA News Release: [June 22, 2004]
Contact Name: Pamela Groover
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Deputy Labor Secretary Steven Law Announces $5 Million Grant
To Automotive Training Partnership in Flat Rock, Michigan
Will Fund High-Tech Manufacturing Training for 1,400 Jobs
FLAT ROCK, Mich.-Today at the Auto Alliance International plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, Deputy Secretary of Labor Steven J. Law announced a $5 million grant to the Downriver Community Conference to train automotive employees in advanced manufacturing techniques. The grant is part of the Bush Administration's High Growth Job Training Initiative, a multimillion-dollar program that funds training partnerships with employers and others in growing industries.
The Downriver Community Conference will use the grant to train 1,400 Ford/Mazda workers in high-technology manufacturing processes that are being used to make the 2005 Ford Mustang.
"This grant is a model of collaboration among government, employers and training providers to give workers the new skills they need to succeed in fast-growing sectors of our economy," said Deputy Secretary Law. "Today's event also shows how U.S. manufacturing can evolve to meet challenges and create exciting new products."
The U.S. Department of Labor is contributing the $5 million grant to a partnership that includes Auto Alliance International (a Ford/Mazda joint venture), the United Auto Workers Union, the Michigan Works Association and the Downriver Career Technical Consortium. The partners have committed another $25 million in training funds to the project as well.
"There's ample evidence that the economy is growing rapidly and we are creating good jobs in key industries. Now our challenge is to equip workers with the skills that are in demand in these fast-growing sectors. That's what this grant-and the High Growth Job Training Initiative-are designed to do for American workers," said Deputy Secretary Law.
The President's High Growth Training Initiative conducts industry forums with leaders within expanding industries in order to identify gaps in skills and workforce preparation. The Initiative then launches partnerships with employers, worker representatives, community colleges and the public workforce system to train workers for attractive long-term job opportunities.
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