MAYOR BING ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR UP TO $10,000 FOR WORKERS LAID OFF IN LAST 18 MONTHS

6/5/2009
Detroit News

In the midst of the economic troubles facing the area, there's some good news to help give laid off workers a chance at a new career.  Mayor Dave Bing and the City of Detroit Workforce Development Department (DWDD) have teamed up with the Governor’s No Worker Left Behind Program (NWLB) to offer laid-off workers up to $10,000 in free tuition over two years.  Through this scholarship opportunity, those laid off in the past 18 months may enroll in high-demand, high growth occupational training that will likely lead to a new career.

NWLB is a free tuition program to help laid off Michigan workers acquire the skills they need to get good jobs in today's global economy.  Anyone interested in this scholarship opportunity is invited to come to DWDD to meet with a career planner, who will direct applicants to programs in high-growth, high-demand occupations. The participants will then pick a State of Michigan-approved school of their choice.  The scholarship funds must be spent on tuition, fees, books, and supplies at a community college, proprietary school, university, or other program that is certified by the state of Michigan.  For a list of State of Michigan-approved training and education providers, laid-off workers can visit www.MyCareerEducation.org.

Additional free services that will be available at DWDD locations include resumé writing, career counseling, skill updating, training, and job search assistance as needed to secure employment. There is limited availability, so anyone interested is urged to contact DWDD soon. 

Popular training includes film studies, computer information systems, paralegal, surgical technology, culinary arts truck driving training, and certified nursing assistants.  Soon DWDD will have programs approved on the State site for green technology, as well as weatherization with Focus Hope. 

For more information, call (313) 962-WORK (9675)