Federal grants help train Detroit workers

David Gillespie and Mike Walker are just two beneficiaries of a federal job training program that helping Detroiters boost their earning power.

Gillespie, a 26-year-old father of a six month old, was earning $9 an hour. Today, he's now he earning $21 an hour.  

"Definitely feels great, my wife is not complaining," he said.

Walker, 27, used to support himself on a paper route -- once he heard about this program he rushed to sign up. 

"I feel good I got a job," he said. "I get up every morning go to work, come home and I'm tired. I pay bills."

Gillespie and Walker were trained to perform asbestos abatement by the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation with funds from a federal grant.

We received funding to train 60 people over three years," said DESC's Pamela Moore. "We are more then half way, 33 trained.  This is such a great story of young people being trained and prepared for these opportunities right here in the city of Detroit."

If you would like more information on this program you can call 313-962-WORK or go to www.DESCmiworks.com


About the Author:

Karen Drew is the anchor of Local 4 News First at 4, weekdays at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. She is also an award-winning investigative reporter.