Levin, Stabenow Announce Support for Job Training Programs at Michigan's Automation Alley

Press Release

Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced today that the Department of Labor will award $5 million for a Technical Talent Development Program at Michigan's Automation Alley. The funds will help to train American workers in high-demand fields, including software development, database administration, and computer specialization.

"We have too many people looking for work while, at the same time, employers say they can't find American workers with the skills to fulfill their needs," Levin said. "With this funding, Automation Alley will help our workers get the training they need to succeed in high-demand jobs and it will help to fulfill the needs of Michigan small businesses."

"Training for new high-demand jobs helps put people back to work, makes our workforce more competitive and makes Michigan a great location for more high-tech businesses," Stabenow said. "Michigan is poised to lead in many growing sectors of the economy, and this new partnership with Automation Alley will help propel us forward."

The funding announced today is part of the Department of Labor's Technical Skills Training Program, which provides assistance for education, training, and job placement for occupations and industries for which employers are currently using H-1B visas to hire foreign workers. The program aims to help employers hire more Americans instead.

"This grant reinforces the message Automation Alley has been demonstrating for more than a decade: that Southeast Michigan is a key player in high-tech fields," said Automation Alley Executive Director Ken Rogers. "I want to especially thank Sen. Debbie Stabenow. She and her staff were tremendous advocates for us with the Department of Labor. Together, we're taking steps to build a brighter future for Southeast Michigan by developing one of our greatest assets - our workforce.

The non-profit Automation Alley is Michigan's largest technology business association. Small businesses comprise ninety percent of Automation Alley's 95 technical company members. Automation Alley's region includes the City of Detroit and the Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.

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