Governor Snyder says the partnership between a Detroit non-profit and an automotive supplier can serve as a “groundbreaking model” for job placement and workforce development.
Android Industries began leasing space at Detroit’s Focus: HOPE about two months ago. There, employees trained by the Detroit non-profit churn out parts for the Chevy Volt, which is manufactured at the nearby Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant.
Android CEO Jerry Elson says his company was only interested if the partnership made business sense. He’s now convinced it does.
In fact, so much so Elson says Android will expand its operation there, and add Focus: HOPE employees at another plant in Warren. “And so when we’re in full production, with the jobs in Warren and the jobs here, we’re talking about 150 jobs for the Focus: HOPE people,” he says.
Governor Snyder calls this model a potentially “groundbreaking” one for workforce development throughout the state.
“This is what we need to focus on, is how we bring different groups together. Where here we’re bringing the private sector with the non-profit sector, for a win for all. There are no losers here. This is the attitude of the future; this is how we win together.”
Focus: HOPE also announced plans to double the number of people who graduate from their education and job training programs in the next 5 years to about 1700.
