NOVEMBER 17, 2006 - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced $9 million in Accelerated Health Professional Training grants awarded to 11 community colleges and universities to fast-track training to help meet Michigan's demand for nurses and other health care professionals.

The grants will be used to train more than 400 health professionals across the state, and fund grants to build facilities and capacity for educating more students interested in becoming RNs, LPNs, clinical nursing faculty, and other health professionals over the next decade.

" As the state's economy continues to transition, we must ensure that accelerated training programs are available in fields like health care, where we know there is high demand," Granholm said. "These grants will help provide the programs necessary to ensure our health care system has the staff they need while providing great job opportunities for Michigan citizens."

The funding initiative is part of the Governor's MI Opportunity Partnership, first unveiled in her 2005 State of the State message to train workers for career fields - such as health care - where there is current and future demand for workers. With today's announcement, the initiative has made more than $29 million available to 17 Michigan universities and community colleges for accelerated health professional training.

Community colleges and public universities affiliated with Michigan Regional Skills Alliances (MiRSAs), along with partner community hospitals were invited to submit grant proposals, which were reviewed by a panel from the departments of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) and Community Health (DCH). MiRSAs, another component of the Governor's economic development plan, are regionally and industry-based partnerships comprised of employers, educational institutions, training providers, economic development organizations, and public workforce system agencies.

"Many nursing students have completed their course work, but are unable to get the clinical experience they need to complete the program. Thanks to this partnership, we are addressing this issue so we can put these students in the workforce quicker," MDCH Director Janet Olszewski said.

According to a 2006 report issued by the Partnership for Health, health care employment provides $22.6 billion per year in wages and benefits in Michigan. Health care employees earn an average of $34,300 per year (2001) and contribute $55,000 annually to the local economy.

"The demand for health care workers will continue to grow with the aging of Michigan's baby-boom generation and an overall increase in longevity," DLEG Director Robert W. Swanson, "The Governor's economic development plan is making sure Michigan is better able to meet the growing labor demands of the health care industry while ensuring quality health care for all citizens."