DETROIT—Officials of the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) and Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) announced that the groups have been awarded a $10 million grant from the United States Department of Labor to invest in workforce training.
The grant was one of $145 million in awards from the department distributed to workforce programs nationwide.
“The Building an Industry Infinity Supply Chain $10 million grant supports four more years of robotics and automation training, the Michigan Alliance for Greater Mobility Advancement collaborative, a regional push on cybersecurity training, a transportation collaborative with the Michigan Department of Transportation, and delivery of transportation-related training programs,” said WIN Executive Director Michele Economou Ureste. “The use of innovative training strategies and training delivery methods will upskill individuals in the region to succeed in middle- and high-skilled occupations.”
Training models will include a broad range of classroom and on-the-job training, customized training, incumbent worker training, registered apprenticeship programs, and industry-recognized apprenticeship programs.
SEMCA and the Workforce Intelligence Network, a consortium of eight community colleges (Henry Ford College, Macomb Community College, Monroe County Community College, Mott Community College, Oakland Community College, Schoolcraft College, Washtenaw Community College and Wayne County Community College District) and six workforce agencies (Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, GST Michigan Works, Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board, Michigan Works Southeast, Oakland County Michigan Works and SEMCA Michigan Works) in southeast Michigan, were recognized in 2020 as one of the nation’s top performers for the delivery of robotics and automation certification programs.
“Substantially, the Building an Industry Infinity Supply Chain grant proposal was the effort of the WIN staff, once again demonstrating the tangible value this partnership brings to our region,” said SEMCA CEO Gregory Pitoniak. SEMCA serves as grantee and is the fiscal agent. “With great instincts and awareness, WIN has developed unmatched expertise and skills to create winning partnerships throughout our region. The southeast Michigan Workforce System is very fortunate to have this well-functioning partnership between the Michigan Works agencies and community colleges.”
Since it was founded, WIN has brought in more than $160 million in grant funding to various organizations throughout southeast Michigan.
Visit www.WINintelligence.org to learn more about the Workforce Intelligence Network and its workforce development initiatives. Launched in 2011, WIN covers a 16-county area, including Genesee, Hillsdale, Huron, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.