Oakland Community College has recently been awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Labor; this "Emerging Sectors Educational Consortium Grant" is intended to address Oakland County and Michigan's need for a skilled workforce in emerging sector jobs. To accomplish this goal, a consortium of educational organizations in Southeastern Michigan has been created to tackle the problem collaboratively.
Oakland University is among the list of consortium entities established under the grant. Others institutions involved are: Baker College, Henry Ford Community College, Oakland Community College, Lawrence Technological University, Monroe Community College, Walsh College, Macomb Community College, Schoolcraft Community College, St. Clair Community College, Washtenaw Community College, Wayne County Community College, the Oakland Intermediate School Districts, and the Oakland County Michigan Works! Agency.
The Educational Consortium institutions will be working together to approach training needs of emerging sector companies. After identifying training needs, and verifying whether or not those needs are being satisfied, the Consortium will then seek innovative systematic approaches to working collaboratively and thus more effectively for the benefit of both employers and the Michigan Workforce. The ultimate goal is to attract and retain high technology/growth businesses in Oakland County and diversify the local economy.
OU recently teamed up with fellow Consortium members Oakland Community College and Lawrence Tech, to sponsor "Jobs Gone Green," as part of the May 13-15 Green Living Festival (http://www.MIGLF.com).The event was held at the Connections Cafe tent; where participating employers received a complimentary meal prior to. College students and graduates attended this career networking event to learn about job opportunities in alternative and renewable energy. Meeting, interviewing, and recruiting talented prospective employees took place at "Jobs Gone Green." Oakland University looks forward to group sponsoring more community employment enriching opportunities like these.
