Orion Township Board Meeting 10/19/2020
Lake Orion Review: Local Part of Whitmer Plot
Employers Encouraged To Apply For $27 Million In Training Grants
Oakland County Employers Encouraged To Apply For $27 Million In Training Grants As State’s Going PRO Talent Fund Reinstated
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County employers who need talent can apply for a share of $27 million allocated statewide for approved training programs in 2021 under Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund.
The fund, which was reinstated by the state, provides grants for employers to hire and train workers to earn industry-recognized credentials in advanced manufacturing, software development, construction trades and robotic operations. It also allows current workers to expand their skills and creates registered apprenticeships for new employees. Since 2013, county employers have received more than $7.5 million of Going PRO Talent Fund grants.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund has provided millions of dollars in training funds to hundreds of eligible businesses across Oakland County who need to find and train talented workers,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “We applaud Governor Whitmer and state legislators for restoring the program. This funding comes at a critical time for our residents and businesses, given the impact COVID-19 continues to have in our business community and in our lives.”
The application period for grants begins November 2 and ends November 30 at 5 p.m.
Oakland County Michigan Works! is hosting five free virtual information sessions on the Going PRO Talent Fund. The online meetings provide important details about the program, eligibility criteria and the application process. Advance registration is required at www.OakGov.com/GoingPro. The sessions are:
- Monday, October 19, from 2:30-4 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 20, from 9-10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, October 22, from 9-10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 27, from 9-10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, October 29, from 2:30-4 p.m.
Minth North America received a Going PRO Talent Fund grant in 2019. Human Resources Director Christen Powers said it was invested in the development and professional growth of 33 team members.
“Ongoing development of employees is an essential part of any retention and growth strategy,” Powers said. “It allows employees to follow a professional development plan that prepares them for the next stage of their careers, whether it’s as a successor to someone, becoming a cross-functionally trained employee or a technical expert.”
Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works!, said staff at the county’s six service centers can confirm a company’s eligibility and assist it in completing an application. To qualify, the training must be short-term and lead to a credentialed, industry-recognized skill enhancement.
“Our team has been very successful in partnering with employers of all sizes to design training models customized to their changing needs,” Llewellyn said. “We strongly encourage an employer to contact their local Michigan Works! office soon to ensure the application is completed in time for review by the state.”
Oakland County Michigan Works! operates service centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy and Waterford. Combined, they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information.
Service centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking assistance with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.
Service center staffs remain available by virtual appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule a virtual meeting, call 1-248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you. Service centers are hosting several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found at www.OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.
Entering the fall, Michigan’s COVID cases up
Entering the fall, Michigan’s COVID cases trending upward
State, local public health officials unite as state sees bump at the start of colder months
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2020
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112
LANSING, MICH. As the fall and flu seasons begin, the number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Michigan have recently trended upward, prompting a call from public health officials to increase vigilance and preventative measures. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), hospitals and local health officials are calling on all residents to take simple steps to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases that could overwhelm the hospital systems.
“Michiganders did a great job of bringing our cases down after a surge in the spring,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Basic things like wearing masks, maintaining a physical distance from others and washing hands worked. Yet as the colder months and flu season have arrived, we now see a concerning jump in our cases – a trend we can reverse if we all take this seriously and follow best practices to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
The recent increase in cases, along with people gathering indoors more frequently due to cooler weather, creates a risk of greater community spread. To protect against the risk of a devastating surge in cases and its impact on Michiganders, MDHHS has issued additional Emergency Orders to clarify gathering definitions, capacity restrictions, mask requirements and worker protections.
“State and local public health officials have been concerned about the risk of a surge in cases in the fall, and this recent increase should remind us all to refocus on preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Nick Derusha, president of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health. “Wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing our hands, and participating in contact tracing with public health officials are proven, effective ways to slow the spread of this virus.”
In addition to rising cases across the state, more tests are coming back positive and more residents are being hospitalized compared to previous weeks. Currently, Michigan has 89 daily cases per million people, 3.6 percent of tests are positive and there are 698 COVID-19 hospitalizations. This is compared to the same point last week when we reported 81.6 daily cases per million people, 3.4 percent positivity and 586 hospitalizations for COVID-19.
“At the height of the COVID-19 response in Michigan, our frontline hospital workers were working around the clock to treat COVID-19 patients. As we see cases on the rise again and more hospital beds with patients than we have in weeks, we must remember what mask wearing and social distancing does: it prevents cases, it prevents hospitalizations, and it prevents deaths,” said Brian Peters, chief executive officer of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
As Michigan works to safely reopen, it is important to remember that does not mean that the virus is gone, or the risk of infection is less. Scientists and doctors agree that masks and face coverings can help to reduce the spread by about 70 percent. And further, not feeling ill is not a sign that you are not infected – the reality is that about 40 percent of people who have COVID-19 may be asymptomatic and capable of spreading the virus to others. Although many people getting infected with COVID-19 this fall are not needing to be hospitalized, it still important that we wear masks and socially distance to prevent people who will have severe disease from getting infected
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
DNR News Digest – Week of Oct. 12, 2020
DNR News: Independence Hunt opener, interactive trails map, grouse/pheasant updates
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Michigan’s Independence Hunt, which offers firearm deer hunting for people with disabilities, is an excellent opportunity to get out and enjoy the sport. It’s open statewide on private lands Oct. 15-18. Some public lands, requiring an access permit, also are open to the hunt.
Last year, the Michigan Legislature passed Public Act 618, which appropriated $260,000 from the General Fund to the DNR for a pheasant release program during fall 2019 and 2020. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated budget reductions for fiscal year 2020, no Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative releases of pheasants are taking place this fall.
Sometimes you just need to hit the trails – for a run, a ride or a mental or physical reset. No matter how Michigan’s trails call to you, the DNR wants to make it easy to find perfect trail escapes all over the state.