Dearborn, MI – During a meeting with four of Southeast Michigan’s top educators, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) discussed what can be done to help the area’s community colleges.  Congressman Dingell has worked with the colleges to get funding for several programs, including the retraining of displaced workers.

“Our community colleges are engines of development for our district,” Dingell said.  “The leaders I met with today are critical players in the future of our community.  I’m pleased and honored that they would take the time to meet with me and I look forward to helping them do everything people for the people in Southeast Michigan, working to get additional skills and launch new careers.  These schools are doing everything possible to make sure Michigan remains the global leader in manufacturing.”

Joining the Congressman at the meeting at Henry Ford Community College  in Dearborn were David Nixon, President of Monroe County Community College; Larry Whitworth , President of Washtenaw County Community College; Gail Mee, President of Henry Ford Community College; and Curtis Ivery, Chancellor from Wayne County Community College.

Specifically, the President’s thanked the Congressman for arranging a meeting earlier this month with Jane Oates, the Assistant Secretary of  Employment and Training Administration at the Department of Labor.  Secretary Oates worked with the Presidents on ways use Workforce Development Grants to help their retraining efforts.

President Mee said: “These funds are essential because the workforce needs the knowledge and training necessary for the next generation of jobs.” 

For more on the Congressman’s work on retraining programs, see:

February 18, 2010 - Dingell Praises New Nuclear Engineering Technology Program at MCCC
July 2, 2009 - A Boost for Monroe County Community College, Students
April 15, 2009 - Dingell, Civic Leaders Brainstorm on Creating Worker Retraining Options
Displaced Workers Guidebook