LANSING – The Michigan Works Association has honored State Representative Richard E. Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township) with its leadership award in recognition of his advocacy for job training programs that move unemployed workers into good-paying jobs and help Michigan businesses succeed.
"Representative Hammel has been a true advocate for workforce development in Genesee County and throughout Michigan," said Alicia Booker, CEO of Career Alliance Inc., the Michigan Works Agency serving the Flint area. "His tireless efforts as a member of the House Appropriations Committee have resulted in increased training opportunities for residents locally and throughout Michigan. We cannot think of anyone else who has had a greater impact on workforce development issues or is more deserving of this award."
The Michigan Works Association chose Hammel as the only member of the Michigan House to receive the "Achieving Excellence in Leadership Award" as part of its Partners in Excellence Awards at its 2008 conference this month.
As Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development, Hammel has worked hard to obtain bipartisan agreement to expand the No Worker Left Behind Program (NWLB) and acquire funding for the Michigan Nursing Corps. Both initiatives make it possible for residents to learn the skills they need to land good-paying jobs available now. His efforts contributed to $15 million more in state funding to expand and strengthen NWLB, which allows thousands of unemployed residents to attend college or training programs tuition-free. The Nursing Corps will make it possible for nursing schools to train almost 4,000 additional Michigan residents to fill open nursing jobs.
"It's important that we all work together – Michigan Works, our nonprofit job training agencies, our community colleges and the state – to get our unemployed workers back on the job," Hammel said. "I'm pleased to see these partnerships coming together to provide the up-to-date training that our residents need. By obtaining the resources necessary and making sure the right policies are in place, we can get Genesee County's economy moving and get our working families back on their feet."