May 1, 2007 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the MI Opportunity Partnership has exceeded its year two goal of placing 40,000 workers into jobs ahead of schedule. The program, which connects displaced workers with current job openings and provides accelerated job training for high growth careers in health care, is a key element of Granholm's comprehensive plan to move Michigan's economy forward.

"As Michigan's economy continues to transition, it is critical that we provide our workers with access to training and assistance in connecting to employers who are hiring," said Granholm. "For two years, the MI Opportunity Partnership has been successful and making those connections possible and helping tens of thousands of Michigan citizens find jobs."

Introduced by Granholm in 2005, the MI Opportunity Partnership is retooling Michigan's job training and steering unemployed workers into high-demand career fields. The Working For Jobs Today! pledge drive, a key component of the MI Opportunity Partnership program, is an extensive outreach to Michigan employers seeking to match their job openings with qualified job seekers. The pledge drive goal was to place 40,000 workers into jobs in year two; that milestone was reached ahead of schedule on April 16th. An equally ambitious, 40,000 job-placement goal is set for year three. The first year of the pledge drive exceeded a 30,000 job placement goal also ahead of schedule. The program runs from May 1st to April 30th.

This initiative is part of Granholm's comprehensive economic plan to create jobs, restructure and diversify Michigan's economy, change the state's business tax structure, expand access to higher education, and ensure that the state has a well-trained workforce. It includes a collaboration of the State of Michigan with employers from business and industry; Michigan Works! agencies; health care and the skilled trades; organized labor; community colleges and universities; associations; and Michigan Regional Skills Alliances.

"In year two and now year three, Governor Granholm has set the goal higher because of employers' greater demand for skilled workers. That demand will continue to grow as we diversify our economy," said Keith W. Cooley, director of the Department of Labor & Economic Growth. "Working closely with all of our partners has been and will continue to be key to the success of this initiative. This includes the Michigan Works! agencies that respond to employer pledges and connect job seekers to training and education programs."

Another factor contributing to the success of the pledge drive is the newly-enhanced Michigan Talent Bank where employers can pledge job openings, search more than 1,000 new resumes arriving daily, and use the Talent Scout to receive automatic emails when new resumes match their job specifications.

"MI Opportunity Partnership is an important investment in helping to transform Michigan's economy," said Granholm. "It will continue to be a vital tool to help connect displaced workers with training and job vacancies that exist now and in the future."

Employers can pledge job openings online two ways at www.michigan.gov/jobstoday or www.michigan.gov/talentbank, or by calling Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKS. They will automatically be connected to their local Michigan Works! service center to obtain assistance in finding workers.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.