GM, Michigan Tech, ESD to Provide Free Training for MI’s Displaced Auto Engineers

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SOUTHFIELD, Mich., January 12, 2009 — General Motors Corporation, Michigan Technological University and the Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) are reaching out to help Michigan’s displaced automotive engineers re-train, re-tool and re-enter the workforce.

The partners have joined forces to address the current economic crisis in Southeast Michigan by quickly providing free training for displaced engineers to meet the demand for green jobs in advanced propulsion technology. The class will provide students with expertise in Fuel Economy, Emissions, Calibration, and Hybrid System Controls and Calibration.

“This is a very important endeavor by the tri-lateral partners,” said Terry Woychowski, General Motors executive director of North American regional chief engineers. “Despite the fact that the auto industry is in difficult times, there will always be an auto industry and, consequently, a critical need in this area with a huge potential for growth. People who can create these advanced propulsion systems and calibrate them are rare and will be in demand.”

This one-semester three-credit course will start February 5 through May 14, 2009. It will be offered by Michigan Tech and held at ESD’s headquarters in Southfield on Thursdays from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The class will include lectures by Michigan Tech faculty and hands-on lab sessions that will be facilitated by volunteer retired and active GM engineers at the GM Milford Proving Ground and Pontiac Powertrain Headquarters.

Only automotive engineers with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree who have been laid off are eligible to apply. To be considered, candidates must have worked for the auto industry and been displaced due to economic conditions. They must submit one letter of recommendation, a resume and a letter of intent, and include the following information: The applicant’s full name, mailing address, e-mail address, and birth date. A maximum of 60 students will be accepted into this program. Michigan Tech will provide students with full scholarships to cover the cost of the tuition and fees.

Please submit your resume and paperwork to Linda LaPointe by Wednesday, January 21 via e-mail to llapointe@esd.org or to The Engineering Society of Detroit, 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI 48076, Attn: Linda LaPointe. For more information, contact Della Cassia at 248-353-0735, ext. 112.

Founded in 1895, ESD is a multi-disciplinary society uniting engineering, scientific and allied professions to enhance professional development and foster excitement in math and science to produce our next generation of leaders. Serving this generation of engineers and fostering the next. For more information, visit  www.esd.org.