Dearborn, MI – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) hosted more than 50 Michigan workers yesterday at a “Job Seekers’ Boot Camp” at Wayne County Community College Downriver in Taylor, MI.  This event provided Southeast Michigan residents with the chance to hear from an expert panel on retraining opportunities, resume improvements, and available resources through the State of Michigan such as No Worker Left Behind and the Michigan Jobs & Career Portal.  Following the panel, participants had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with experts, employers and small business representatives to ask individual questions about where to find good job openings, receive resume critiques, practice interview skills, and learn about area assistance while searching for a job. 

 The Congressman told the attendees: “The reasons for these events is to help you put your best foot forward as you transition to a new career or start your first career.  With nearly 700,000 Michiganders out of work, the job market in Michigan is highly competitive and I constantly hear from those in the 15th District have grown frustrated with their job search.  Today we are hoping to turn that struggle into a success.”

 Those who joined the boot camp got the chance to:

·         Discuss the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth’s (DELEG) Michigan Jobs Portal, which posts new job opportunities in Michigan;

·         Learn from MichiganWorks! about the necessity for retraining in today’s job market and No Worker Left Behind; and,

·         Hear from the Sensible Business Consulting Group about resumes and cover letters, as well as learn from the Information Center about how to prepare for the job interview and present your talent and skills successfully.

 Experts from Focus: HOPE, Michigan DELEG, Michigan eLibrary, Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, MichiganWorks!, Oakwood Health Center, Operation Able, Sensible Consulting Group, TechTown, The Information Center, Wayne County Community College, UM’s Business Engagement Center, Wade Trim, and Wayne Metro met one-on-one with individuals at worktables. 

 This is the most recent of a series of events the Congressman has set up for constituents transitioning between jobs.  He has also conducted a Rehiring, Retraining and Relief Fair in Wayne County and two How to Get Hired Fairs, with one each in Washtenaw and Monroe Counties. Congressman Dingell’s Displaced Workers Guidebook has been viewed nearly half a million times on various websites and portals and is available for free on his website.

 It was also the fourth of five events the Congressman has hosted during the current district work period to offer direct assistance to constituents. 

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