Jobs Training Grants Get Initial County OK

An initial vote to accept funding for three workforce development programs – totaling about $1.35 million – was taken by the Washtenaw County board of commissioners at their Jan. 16, 2013 meeting. Final approval is expected at the board’s Feb. 6 meeting. The programs are overseen by the joint county/city of Ann Arbor office of community and economic development (OCED), which manages the local Michigan Works! office.

The grants include $1.16 million in federal funding for Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope. (PATH), an orientation and job placement program for people who are applying for or receiving welfare assistance. The program was previously called Jobs, Education and Training (JET).

The county board also gave initial authorization to a $111,750 increase in federal grant funding for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Dislocated Worker program. The additional funds will increase the program’s budget from $801,669 to $913,419. The program provides training for unemployed workers as well as on-the-job training for employees who need additional skills.

The third grant is $84,783 for the Food Assistance Employment and Training program, to provide job training for people who are receiving food assistance.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]