Macomb Community College is one of six pilot sites in Michigan working on a new Jobs, Education and Training program, known as JET Plus, designed to help people transition from state assistance and into the local workforce.
Macomb was awarded $738,486 in federal JET Plus funding to provide job training in 12 targeted areas to area residents referred to the college by the Michigan Works! Agency under the No Worker Left Behind program. The college launched an Administrative Assistant Academy and a vocational English as a Second Language training program in November 2008 and will begin offering training in 11 additional career fields in January.
“Providing basic skills training to move someone into either a first job or, perhaps more importantly, a job with a future and a chance for advancement is the focus of this effort,” said Fran Sturtz, director of the Center for Continuing Education at Macomb. “The JET Plus program provides people not only with the job-specific skills needed, but also provides assistance overcoming other hurdles that may be standing in their way, such as transportation or child care challenges.”
The program is designed to give the participants tools to succeed beyond the program training, including resume writing and interviewing skills.
During 2009, Macomb anticipates training 140 people through the program. While the college provides the job skills component of the training, which includes job shadowing experience, Michigan Works! case managers work with the students to help arrange transportation to and from the college, provide child care assistance where needed and provide job placement assistance. The college has created an office for the program on its South Campus in Warren to ensure case managers, students and Macomb instructors and administrators are able to work closely together.
Macomb President Jim Jacobs said the JET Plus program provides an important first step up both the career and educational opportunity ladder. He called the JET Plus training “a stepping stone” for participants to pursuing additional education, possibly leading eventually to a college degree and a wider range of sustainable career options.
“This program not only opens the gateway to opportunity, but provides a foundation for future advancement,” he said.
In January, the first six people graduated from the college’s new Administrative Assistant Academy, an eight-week program. Another academy session will start in January. In addition to the administrative assistant program, training will be provided in the areas of phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, health unit coordinator, certified professional coding, patient access/accounting specialist, certified nurse assistant, eldercare specialist, certified fitness trainer, database programming, welding skills and basic machine skills. Those who complete the database programming, welding skills or basic machine skills programs will receive 10 or more college credits for the coursework, a step toward an eventual college degree.
“The Jet Plus program is designed to accelerate a person along the path to economic independence, to help a person secure not only a job, but possibly to begin what could result in a very rewarding career for our graduates,” said Marsha Prose, JET Plus coordinator for Michigan Works!
In addition to Macomb, JET Plus training is being provided in Detroit, in suburban Wayne County, and in Genesee, Saginaw, and Berrien counties.
About Michigan Works!
Michigan Works! Association is recognized nationally as the largest and most progressive workforce development association in the country. The Association's members are the Workforce Development Boards, Local Elected Officials, and Michigan Works! Agency Directors from all of Michigan's 25 workforce areas. Michigan Works! Association was established in 1987 to foster high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's workforce development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org.
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