Macomb Community College will utilize more than $5 million in new grant money to support the growth and future development of the defense and homeland security industry in southeast Michigan. Key in Macomb’s efforts will be providing technical training to area residents to prepare them for jobs in this growing sector.
“Working closely with business, government and nonprofit organizations, Macomb is working to help restructure the economy of southeast Michigan,” said Dr. Jim Jacobs, president of Macomb Community College. “We will continue to build on our strengths – including our heritage as the World War II Arsenal of Democracy and our manufacturing skills – as well as work with those in new and emerging sectors of the economy.”
Today, the U.S. Dept. of Labor announced that Macomb will receive a grant of $4,971,642 to prepare workers for jobs in the local defense industry by filling knowledge and skill needs in acquisitions and logistics, engineering and advanced technology. The training will prepare participants with the necessary leadership and business skills required for further training in advanced, defense‐oriented engineering and information technology. As part of the training process, Macomb is developing a new relationship with the Dept. of Defense’s Defense Acquisition University to allow students to continue to pursue additional advanced skills. The grant will be paid over three years.
According to recent announcements by the military and local businesses, the U.S. Army’s TACOM and TARDEC operations in Warren are expanding, as are a number of both large and small defense contractors. These expansions, along with natural attrition, are expected to create 6,000-7,000 openings in the defense sector in southeast Michigan between 2009 and 2012. According to a state estimate, about 65 percent of all defense jobs in Michigan are in Macomb County.
The grant was awarded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided funds specifically targeted as “high growth” sectors of the economy.
“The Recovery Act’s investments are making a positive difference in the lives of America’s working families,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The Recovery Act funded grants announced today will ensure thousands of workers across the nation can receive high-quality training and employment services, which will lead to good jobs in healthcare and other industries offering career-track employment and good pay and benefits.”
Under the terms of the grant, the college will target the area’s veterans and displaced workers to receive the training.
As part of the grant, Macomb will be working with various partner organizations, including: the Southeast Michigan Community College Consortium, Macomb-St. Clair Michigan Works! Agency, General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems, National Defense Industrial Association, Detroit Regional Chamber, Wayne State University, Ferris State University, Defense Acquisition University, L’anse Creuse Public Schools, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Michigan Veterans Association, and UAW/General Motors.
Earlier this week, Macomb received a grant for $35,110 awarded by the New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan to assist the college in developing training curriculum for technical workers in the defense industry.
In late 2009, the college was notified that it would be receiving an award of $550,000 in 2010 through the Dept. of Labor to train displaced workers for jobs in the aerospace and defense industries through a Center of Expertise in Defense.
“The awarding of these grants is only a step – an important step, but only a step – in the process,” Jacobs said. “The ultimate goal is to place people in new careers.”
The college expects to begin providing training to the first cohort of students utilizing the grant funding by the end of the year.
Jacobs said the $4.97 million grant is among the largest single grants Macomb has ever received.
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 59,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
Media contact:
Dan Heaton
586.445.7271
heatond@macomb.edu