INDIANAPOLIS (November 18, 2009) - The US Department of Labor today awarded the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) a $4 million grant to help transition US autoworkers to the careers of tomorrow and transform the auto industry.

Indiana will lead a tri-state partnership including the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth and the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to conduct this research and build a roadmap to success for both individual workers and the auto companies. 

"The Midwest has bore the brunt of the upheaval in the domestic automobile industry," said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "This tri-state partnership will help the automakers and autoworkers in our states arm themselves with the best practices and skills needed to flourish."

The study will focus on four specific areas:

1)      Auto Industry Transformation: Characterize the structural transformation from the "old" auto industry to a "new" more efficient auto industry and identify new skill and training requirements.

2)      Supply Chain Transformation: Identify the auto parts supply chain impacts of an auto industry structural transformation.

3)      Alternative Career Pathways: Identify alternative career path opportunities for dislocated auto and auto parts workers for jobs in demand with an emphasis on jobs in the green economy.

4)      Skill Gap Analysis: Identify current and projected skill gaps of the auto and auto parts workforce and required training needed to compete for jobs in demand and green job opportunities.

DWD and its partners will kickoff this project next month.  The team expects to produce a final report and present its findings and recommendations in 2011.

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