MAYOR KILPATRICK OPENS CAREER CENTERS; KEEPS PROMISE

10/11/2007
Press Release

Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick today made good on his promise to help residents prepare themselves for careers in emerging industries by opening the Detroit Workforce Development Department’s (DWDD) Health Care Career Center. At 11 a.m. today , a Hospitality/Retail Career Center was opened on the city’s east side.http://

Mayor Kilpatrick echoed his most recent State of the City Address when he said, “We must put Detroiters back to work.” He then went on to say, “I’m proud we have new career centers to prepare our citizens for careers in the healthcare, retail and hospitality fields. Our residents now have the tools necessary to be a part of the emerging industries of the NEXT Detroit.”

DWDD has established two career centers designed to provide Detroit residents with access to emerging and high-demand/growth occupations. Both centers are a consortium composed of employers, educational institutions, and community-based organizations.

Each center will help customers develop comprehensive career plans in their specific fields. Mentoring, job shadowing, and work experience approaches will initiate career ladders and interventions for success that will eventually result in job placement in high growth industry sectors.

Heath Care Career Center, 455 West Fort Street, Detroit 48226
Primary Partners: Detroit Medical Center, Oakland University School of Nursing, the Partnership for Economic Independence, Inc. and Warren/Conner Development Coalition.

Roles:

Warren/Conner Development Coalition - Fiduciary, contract management, and financial services.
 

Partnership for Economic Independence - Case management and job coaching.
 

Oakland University School of Nursing - Community-based career laddering, training.
 

Detroit Medical Center - Lead employer.


Projected Outcomes: To train and place at least 300 job-seekers into health care career pathways through intensive career coaching, planning, and job placement activities.

Hospitality/Retail Career Center, WCCCD 5901 Conner, Detroit 48213
Primary Partners: Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, American Hotel & Lodging Education and member Association, Wayne County Community College District, and CVS/pharmacy

Roles:

Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit - Lead agency, process referrals, facilitate soft skills training, and provide case management.
 

American Hotel & Lodging Education and member Association - Develop training materials and oversee the professional certification process.
 

Wayne County Community College - Lead education agency and training site host.
 

CVS/pharmacy - Provide retail training and career opportunities.

Projected Outcomes: Five hundred (500) customers will receive an education/career plan, certifications in hospitality or retail areas, job placement, and retention along with support services. Eight-one percent are expected to attain certification.

Individuals interested in enrolling in one of the emerging industry programs should contact the Detroit Workforce Development Department by calling 313-962-9675 or by visiting www.detroitmi.gov.