August 15, 2008 - ESCANABA, MI – Today Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recognized Northern Star Industries, Bay College, and the Michigan Works! The Job Force Board for their model No Worker Left Behind partnership – a collaborative effort between business, college, and the local workforce agency that resulted in Northern Star and other U.P businesses hiring more than 100 workers.  The Governor singled out the effort in remarks celebrating the first anniversary of the No Worker Left Behind initiative at the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba.

"This innovative collaboration between Northern Star Industries and Bay College, working with Michigan Works! and No Worker Left Behind to train workers for jobs available today, is exactly the kind of partnership we want to replicate all over Michigan," said Governor Granholm. "With the boost of No Worker Left Behind training dollars, we can move Michigan workers in to high-skill, high-wage jobs and grow Michigan's economy."

Northern Star Industries, Inc., located in Iron Mountain, manufactures the BOSS Snowplow, state-of-the-art control panels and substation control centers for electrical utilities, and specialty controls for the U.S. Navy. 

In 2007, Northern Star was looking to expand and hire additional employees for their Boss Products division, but discovered there was a shortage of welders and skilled trades workers in Dickinson County.  Northern Star teamed with two other U.P. employers who were facing similar problems, and approached the Michigan Works! The Job Force Board for help.  Michigan Works! pulled together the employers, their own workforce experts, and faculty from Bay College and Dickinson Iron Intermediate School District to find a solution.  Together they designed and implemented a customized program to train workers in welding and other high-demand skills.  To date, more than 100 workers have gone through the NWLB-funded training and found jobs in local industries.

Tom Swarthout was working at a local retail store in Iron Mountain and looking for a new career when he heard about the No Worker Left Behind Initiative.  He had taken a semester of welding at Bay College, and decided to consult the Michigan Works! The Job Force Board to explore options for additional education.  With the help of Michigan Works!, Swarthout was accepted in to the welding certification course at Bay College.  Upon graduation, he got a job as a Fabricator Welder at BOSS Products division of Northern Star Industries.

"With No Worker Left Behind, we were able to train workers for the exact skills we needed to help us expand, and put people to work in good jobs right here in their own communities." said Dave Brule, Jr., Executive Vice President and CFO of Northern Star Industries. "We're looking to add additional workers in the coming year, and we know we have the partners and training options to meet our needs for the skilled workers our industry requires."

On August 1, 2007, Governor Granholm announced the NWLB initiative:  an ambitious plan to train 100,000 citizens in three years for jobs in high demand occupations, emerging industries, and entrepreneurial endeavors.  NWLB gives Michigan workers the opportunity to acquire the skills they need to win good paying jobs in today's global economy.  NWLB provides up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program for qualifying participants.

"The No Worker Left Behind initiative is about training Michigan workers for the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow," said Keith W. Cooley, Director of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth. "This partnership proves that No Worker Left Behind works, helping Michigan build a skilled workforce and re-build our economy."