DETROIT – On Thursday, Dec. 12, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will visit the Detroit area to highlight innovative community college training programs and help launch a new campaign to encourage economic development in the city. The visit is part of the Obama Administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance local economic revitalization and ensure that existing resources effectively support local priorities.
Secretary Perez and Secretary Duncan will visit Macomb Community College’s Michigan Technical Education Center to highlight the selection of Macomb Community College to lead a nearly $25 million grant benefitting eight Michigan community colleges. The grant is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training program – jointly administered by the Departments of Labor and Education – designed to create and expand innovative partnerships between community colleges and businesses to educate and train workers for in-demand jobs.
During the visit, Secretary Perez and Secretary Duncan will tour the M-TEC facilities to learn about innovative training for careers in advanced manufacturing. A roundtable discussion with Macomb Community College President Jim Jacobs, program staff, students, employer partners and workforce leaders will follow the tour.
Secretary Perez and Secretary Duncan will then join city leaders for the launch of HIRE DETROIT!, a campaign to address the city’s high unemployment rate and revitalize the region’s economy. The campaign encourages companies across the Detroit metropolitan area to hire at least one qualified unemployed city resident. The meeting will include Michigan and Detroit community leaders and elected officials, including Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.
Details regarding the training tour and roundtable discussion:
For questions on parking or other event logistics, please contact Jeanne Nicol at 586-445-7204 or [email protected].
Details regarding the launch of the HIRE DETROIT! Workforce Summit:
Press interested in attending these events should contact the Labor Department’s Rhonda Burke or Scott Allen using the contact information provided above or the Education Department at 202-401-1576 or [email protected].