Facing Down the Great Recession: How to Create the Next Generation of New Jobs

No state has experienced the harsh impact of the Great Recession more than the state of Michigan: 49 consecutive months with the nation's highest unemployment rate – a rate that at times rose above 14%. Faced with this immense economic disaster, the state's Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth responded with No Worker Left Behind, a revolutionary program that emphasized the importance of retraining for all job seekers.

Led by Andy Levin, No Work Left Behind sent more than 150,000 Michigan workers back to school to acquire in-demand skills and made adult education the central focus of the state's economic policies.  Backed by $10,000 in tuition aid, unemployed and underemployed workers could pursue up to two years of training at any Michigan community college, university, or training facility. The result? Unemployed workers found new jobs at twice the national rate, and 75% of No Work Left Behind participants who completed their training retained their current at-risk jobs or were hired for a new one.

Mr. Levin will describe how Michigan turned obsolete workforce strategies on their head, and launched an array of creative alternatives: from employer-centered sectoral projects and 21st Century apprenticeships ....to new "career readiness" certificates, and coalitions of unions and faith communities working to train low-income job seekers. He will also discuss the English and math literacy initiatives that helped drive a fundamental overhaul of Michigan's adult learning system.

Please join us October 11 at 4:00 p.m. for a dynamic conversation about new ways for innovative governments to stem the loss of jobs, and accelerate the pace of economic recovery.

There is no charge for attending Facing Down the Great Recession – but seating is limited and registration is required. Please register by October 7, 2011.