Michigan is facing a critical labor shortage in health care and the skilled trades.  Employers are struggling to fill almost 90,000 job vacancies that exist in Michigan today.  Projections indicate that the state's workforce needs in these sectors will swell to approximately 300,000 workers by 2012.

Governor Granholm announced the MI Opportunity Partnership as a key component of the Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow plan in her 2005 State of the State address.  The MI Opportunity Partnership will retool job training programs and place unemployed workers into high-demand career fields such as health care and the skilled trades.  The Granholm Administration will blend available federal, state and local dollars in this streamlined, outcomes-based initiative. 

Goals of The MI Opportunity Partnership

• Place as many as 30,000 workers into jobs by the end of 2005
• Provide targeted skills training for labor sectors experiencing significant shortages
• Contact 35,000 employers to identify immediate job openings
• Work directly with employers to fill job vacancies
• Conduct pilot programs at four Regional Skills Alliances to provide accelerated job training in health care and skilled trades to meet current labor market demands
• Match an additional 40,000 workers with jobs in years 2006 and 2007

Who are the MI Opportunity Partners?

Partners who are pledging jobs and support include employers from business and industry (regardless of size), health care and the skilled trades, associations, organized labor, community colleges and universities, the Michigan Works! System and Michigan's Regional Skills Alliances.  MI Opportunity will coordinate an accelerated strategy among its partners to provide training and new job opportunities particularly in health care and the skilled trades.

Employers!

Putting people to work now to meet employer demand and strengthen Michigan's economy is the top priority.  The MI Opportunity Partnership represents a tremendous opportunity and a challenge for employers. Employer participation is essential to building a stronger Michigan. Employers may pledge job openings on the Michigan Talent Bank at www.michworks.org.  Employers may call 1-800-285-WORKS (9675) for help looking for qualified workers.

Employers click here  to pledge your job openings today!

Job-Seekers!

The MI Opportunity Partnership will work to match and place as many as 30,000 unemployed citizens in vacancies in this first year. Job-seekers may post their resume and search job openings on the Michigan Talent Bank at www.michworks.org.

Visit www.michigan.gov/jobstodaysoon
for more important information
about the MI Opportunity Partnership
and
  Working for Jobs Today! pledge campaign.