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OPA News Release: [06/22/2004]
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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