More Detroiters employed in September since before pandemic; highest point in 13 years, Mayor says

237,000 Detroiters were working in September, highest in over 13 years
Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers show nearly 10k more Detroiters are employed this year compared to September last year
Influx of jobs to the city, Detroit at Work partnerships with major employers to hire Detroit residents have been key factors

More Detroiters are employed today than at any other time in over 13 years, according to September employment numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Mayor Mike Duggan announced today.

According to the report, 237,099 Detroiters were working in September, which is an increase of nearly 10,000 employed residents from one year prior. The September number represents the first time employment among Detroit residents has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The most recent high was 236,128 in October 2019.

Mayor Duggan attributed the growth in employment to the city’s success attracting major employers, such as Stellantis, Amazon, Majorel, and Detroit At Work’s ability to prepare Detroiters for new careers in a wide range of in-demand industries and partner with these major employers to hire large numbers of Detroit residents.

“For the first time in my lifetime, any Detroiter who wants to work can find a good paying job,” Mayor Duggan said. “New businesses are opening up across the city and are in need of workers. Anyone looking for a job can find more than 7,000 openings right now at www.detroitatwork.com, along with training programs to prepare them for many of these opportunities.”

Nearly 12,000 new construction jobs and 6,000 permanent jobs are expected as part of the $1.5 billion 10-building District Detroit Development.

Amazon has hired more than 1,200 people, mostly Detroiters for its four million square foot distribution center at the old state fairgrounds and there’s a new 400-job facility currently under construction at the site of the former AMC headquarters. Lear’s new seating facility on the site of the former Cadillac Stamping Plant is also expected to reach full employment of at least 400 in 2023. Lear’s new seating facility on the site of the former Cadillac Stamping Plant is also expected to reach full employment of at least 400 in 2023.

One of Detroit At Work’s most effective partnerships has been with Henry Ford Health, which has hired 185 Detroit residents through the city’s employment program since 2019.

“Henry Ford Health has been a part of our incredible Detroit community for more than a century, and ensuring we are providing exciting, ample and meaningful job opportunities to our neighbors is so very important to us,” said Henry Ford Health President and CEO Bob Riney. “As we prepare to embark on our most significant investment yet, our Future of Health: Detroit development, we can’t help but get excited about the hundreds of jobs the projects will bring for Detroiters—setting us up for continued progress in community employment.”

Detroit At Work offering $100M in scholarships

The Mayor also credited President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act, which is the source of funding behind $100 million in scholarships the city is now offering to help Detroiters receive employment, free job training or to help them overcome barriers to employment. These programs are free to Detroit residents and accessible through www.DetroitAtWork.com or at any of the nine Detroit At Work centers across the city.

“The increasing number of opportunities that are available to Detroiters underscores the importance of the work that the City and Detroit at Work are doing to prepare residents for the jobs that are coming,” said Terri Weems, Group Executive of Workforce and Detroit at Work at the City of Detroit. “There are thousands of jobs available in Detroit today, and Detroit at Work has dozens of training programs, stipends and other supportive services available at nine career centers around the city to make sure that Detroiters are ready and able to take part.”

Today, dozens of free training programs are available at www.DetroitAtWork.com in the following areas:

Construction/Skilled Trades
Manufacturing
Health Care
Information Technology
Transportation

Detroiters ages 18 and older can also call 313-962-WORK or visit any of the 9 Detroit At Work career centers across the city to learn more or to get enrolled.

Hundreds of local companies are hiring today, right here in the City of Detroit. These companies say the Detroiters they are bringing in through the Detroit at Work talent pipeline are exceeding expectations.

Featured programs/partnerships:

Henry Ford Health

Henry Ford Health holds between 150-200 hiring events per year; last week more than 300 community members received interviews at one such event.
185 Detroit residents hired since 2019
Henry Ford’s apprenticeship programs help existing team members gain additional certifications/training while on the job—at no cost to them. Since 2021, Henry Ford has trained a total of 180 pharmacy techs, nurse assistants and eye care assistants through these programs.
This year Henry Ford Health has seen 226 applicants from Detroit at Work.
For candidates experiencing additional barriers to employment, Henry Ford works closely with Detroit at Work to identify and provide wraparound services to support prospective team members in starting and maintaining employment. Support has included assistance with scrubs, transportation, childcare, expenses and more.

JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase launched its new virtual call center in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood – the very first in the U.S. – expanding their already proven commitment to Detroit and Detroiters.
Using Detroit at Work as their sole talent sourcing provider, they have hired 50 new employees to work as full-time, work-from-home account specialists and account supervisors, with starting wages of $22.50 per hour and an annual benefits package worth about $16,000.
100 Detroiters have been hired over the last 14 months.
More hires are expected as operations grow.
The new call center also provides an opportunity for Detroiters with a criminal background. JPMorgan Chase has removed all questions about criminal backgrounds from job applications. Second Chance hires represent approximately 10 percent of Chase’s new hires in the U.S. over the last three years.

Learn to Earn

Detroiters can earn their Diploma or GED while receiving a stipend and explore their options for training or new job opportunities immediately after graduating. With 20 hours per week participants can earn a GED/diploma in as little as 4-6 months. They can also build skills that help find a new or better job after earning a GED/diploma. A career coach helps participants explore training and career options.

636 currently enrolled
371 active in training

The program includes a weekly stipend for up to 6 months. Other support available includes a laptop, internet access and help with transportation, and referrals to childcare.

Skills for Life

Skills for Life is a program launched by the mayor at the end of 2021. If you’re a jobseeker, Skills for Life has two ways to help your career path. You will have the option, two days a week, to attend GED prep or Skills Refresh to complete your education or pursue a training certification. You will also work with the City of Detroit’s General Services Department the other three days a week, learning valuable skills to add to your resume.

326 currently enrolled.
339 Education/Occupational Training Completions (GED and Skills Refresh).
208 Confirmed Job Placements (additional hires that have not yet been reported by employers are likely).

These positions start at $15/hr. and after graduation, you’ll be able to earn up to $20-25/hr.

JumpStart

Designed to ensure long-term employment success for Detroiters who have been out of the workforce for six months or longer. Seventeen In Detroit Organizations (IDOs) work to identify residents and enroll them in education or training programs. They also coach and mentor each participant, monitor their progress and identify potential barriers to success throughout the program.

1468 currently enrolled.
1000+ completing career readiness training., 450 active in training.

As each IDO client reaches their milestones in the program, the IDO will receive a financial incentive. Individual participants receive a monthly stipend over 18 months (to help with transportation, childcare, and other life expenses)

For more information on the City of Detroit’s career and job training programs go to www.DetroitAtWork.com.