$2 billion in community college grants to focus on training workers whose jobs were outsourced
A new grant program designed to re-train people who have lost their jobs to overseas competition offers up to $5 million yearly to community colleges.
There is $2 billion available over four years to community colleges who receive the money as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants Program, said Michigan Community College Association President Mike Hanson. Colleges can also apply in a consortium and be eligible for up to $20 million a year.
"It's clearly one of the largest grant initiatives for community colleges in recent years," he said. "Right now most of our colleges are faced with record enrollment and a decline in resources."
The colleges are focused on keeping their doors open, and the grant allows them to explore innovative ways of teaching, Hanson said.
Mid Michigan Community College, like many others, has been watching for the announcement of the grant money event though they will not apply, said MMCC Spokesman Matt Miller.
"The problem we have locally is that these grants are targeted to workers who have lost their jobs or had their jobs threatened by foreign trade," Miller said. "There aren't a lot of (local) people who fall into that category ... there's not a lot of potential to write a grant."
Miller said the grant supports initiatives MMCC has been taking, such as close collaboration with local businesses to determine what skills they are looking for in workers and transitioning classroom content online.
If the grant requirements are changed in the next four years, MMCC will apply, he said.
"We appreciate the support ... at the state level, at the federal level... for the good work that community colleges are doing, even if the grants don't apply to us at this time," Miller said.
Lake Michigan Community College in Benton Harbor plans to apply for the grants to expand their existing job retraining program "Breaking Through," said Marjorie Zibbel, associate dean, community and business services.
There has been a surge in people using the program since factories have closed in the nearby Niles and South Haven areas, Zibbel said. About 250 people were enrolled in the program in 2010. Many of them never expected to be unemployed.
"This is a real dilemma for eligible candidates with the trade assistance act," she said.
The college is considering partnerships with Jackson Community College, Bay Community College in Escanaba, North Central Community College in Petoskey, St. Clair Community College in Port Huron, and four other community colleges to qualify for more funding, Zibbel said. The college is also looking to partner with local businesses.
Other colleges may use their money to convert their programs online or build their curriculum, Hanson said. The Michigan Community College Association will assist colleges which are looking to collaborate.
