MAT2 Program Connects Michigan Students with High-Paying Skilled-Trade Careers

At the firm’s most recent “Lansing to Local” event, Stephanie Comai, Director of the newly created Michigan Talent Investment Agency, spoke about an issue on the minds of many local businesses we work with: Expanding opportunities and training in skilled-trades and high-tech manufacturing in Michigan, especially for students and young people.

Our attorneys have also been involved in the Livonia Industrial Council, which is working to boost interest among local students and their parents in the skilled-trades and high-tech manufacturing jobs.

From the Livonia Industrial Council and Ms. Comai, we learned about a new effort that will benefit Michigan manufacturers: MAT2 – the Michigan Advanced Technician Training Program.

MAT2 addresses two critical issues facing the manufacturing and technology industries: (1) a widening skills gap, and (2) an aging workforce. This initiative functions similar to an apprenticeship program, where students alternate between classroom instruction and on-the-job training, gaining the necessary hands-on skills and real-world experiences for them to become a successful and productive member of the workforce.

If you are a business or a student interested in this program, you can learn more here: http://www.mitalent.org/mat2/

The program gives students the skills they need to succeed and enter into high-paying, long-term careers. And, it gives businesses a well-trained employee who is ready to hit the ground running from day one after leaving the training program.

While this program has achieved great success in just a few short years, we have found it is not as well-known among local businesses as it should be. Please share and help spread the word!

Fausone Bohn, LLP is a Northville, MI based law firm involved in several community organizations throughout Western Wayne County. We believe our business clients are better-served when our attorneys have a more complete understanding of the issues they face.  If you are a local business in need of legal consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us at (248) 468-4536 or online at www.fb-firm.com.

Michigan Veterans Not Using Services

Michigan has a significant concentration of resident veterans – around 700,000.  However, in December, it was revealed that Michigan also has the lowest percentage of veterans who utilize benefits and services available to them.

According to a report released by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, only 142,260 veterans use services available to them such as health care and education resources. This number accounts for just 20% of Michigan’s veteran population.

So why aren’t more Michigan veterans taking advantage of these services and opportunities? 

The disparity can be partly attributed to poor information and lack of an organized method for distributing information about these programs.  With no central database for this information, many veterans aren’t even aware of the benefits available to them.  Additionally, the disparity is partly due to a shortage of trained and on-staff service officers necessary to meet the needs of the growing number of veterans leaving the armed forces and taking up residence in Michigan.

In an effort to increase communication and awareness of these available programs, the Veterans Affairs Agency has launched pilot programs in Wayne County and Grand Rapids.  Part of these programs include increasing staff levels to generate demand.

If you are a veteran and have questions about what benefits you are entitled to, contact the experienced professionals at Legal Help For Veterans.  Our team of lawyers and professionals are experts on veteran benefits and can help you get the help you need.  Contact us at 800-693-4800 or online at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.  

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Last week, Michigan's Governor, Rick Snyder, signed an executive order that created the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.  The goal of the agency is to help connect former service personnel with government departments and service organizations that will help them apply for benefits such as health care, education, and employment assistance.

Michigan has over 650,000 veterans and that number is rapidly rising with the returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.  All of the programs for veterans are scattered among various federal and state departments.  As such, it is a confusing maze for Michigan veterans to not only be aware of the benefits available to them, but obtain them.  The hope is that this agency will help Michigan veterans traverse the maze much more easily than by themselves.

Confusing Website

James G. Fausone
Veteran Disability Attorney

GIBill.com looked like an official government website intended to provide information to veterans about their GI Bill benefits.  But looks can be deceiving.

The website was actually owned by QuinStreet Inc., an internet marketing and media company.  The Attorneys General of several states sued QuinStreet alleging violation of consumer protection laws.  They contended that the website purposely and deceptively gave the appearance that it was owned or operated by the U.S. government.

The GI Bill is an extensive educational assistance program provided to veterans.  The bill gives the veterans the flexibility to pursue education how they see fit – at public, private non-profit, or private for-profit schools.

However, GIBill.com deceived veterans into thinking they were making an informed decision about their education choices.  In reality, the veterans were being deceived and receiving information exclusively about for-profit institutions that were clients of QuinStreet.

QuinStreet has settled the suit by agreeing to pay $2.5 million and, more importantly, turning over its GIBill.com website to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to prevent further fraud by QuinStreet.

The post-9/11 GI Bill was authorized by Congress in 2008.  Through the program, the VA has disbursed nearly $20 billion in payments to 759,000 people and their educational institutions.

Providing education to our veterans via the GI Bill is just a small token of appreciation for the sacrifice and service of these brave men and women.  Hopefully this action by these attorneys general will send a message to others like QuinStreet that such deceptive practices will not be tolerated.

To learn more or read the VA press release, please visit:  http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2345