I am pleased to announce that in the first year of the No Worker Left Behind program, more than 31,000 unemployed and underemployed Michigan workers have received training for new careers in areas of high demand. I want to thank the state's community college presidents, Michigan Works! agencies, and business, education, and labor leaders who have partnered to make the program a success.

Launched in August 2007, the program provides up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program. Qualifying participants must earn a certification or degree needed in a high-demand occupation or gain the entrepreneurial skills needed to start their own businesses. When the program started, we set the goal of training 100,000 citizens in three years for jobs in high-demand occupations and emerging industries. To date, 31,000 Michigan workers have enrolled in training programs around the state, more than 11,000 have completed their training, and another 9,100 are on waiting lists for training.

The second year of the program will use state funding for the first time and additional federal money, and have a strong focus on alternative energy and green jobs. The new Green Jobs Initiative is a $6 million investment in training for jobs in alternative energy industries including wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal, and other green industries. The Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) will partner with community colleges, entrepreneurs, and employers to create the training programs needed to help green companies succeed in Michigan.