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Kettering University offers classes on dream jobs

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

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Matt Franklin
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MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (05/19/09)--In the unstable economy, many laid-off workers are searching for a new beginning.

For one group, that includes laying the foundation to start up their own business.

Instead of waiting on someone to call them for work, 30 workers now want to call the shots. Tuesday at Kettering University, they took their first step toward being in charge.

"It's a crash course," said student James Crawford. "This is kind of like a boot camp class."

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Laid-off Delphi worker Crawford now wants his electronic skills to work for him. His goal is running his own repair shop.

"It's hard, yes, but being out here in the streets is hard, too," Crawford said. "But I see this as being the better option."

Crawford, along with others from various job backgrounds, is now part of a six-week class called FastTrac New Venture.

It's a program designed to help the jobless turn their dreams of owning their own business into reality.

"It's a very intensive training program that walks people though the research, the planning and the creation of a business plan," said said Director Marsha Lyttle.

Student Royal Brooks plans on taking advantage of stimulus money and hopes to make a living by going green.

"The type of business I'm trying to start is the solar panel instillation business and eventually get in wind turbine blade manufacturing," Brooks said.

Bruce Rice wants to own his own record label.

"I think it's going to give me the follow-up tools to enhance the skills that I already possess," he said.

"We build their self esteem and confidence through this program," Lyttle said, "and they are ready to go out there and be successful."

Enrollment for the Flint class is over, but another is in the works for the fall. In addition, there are other classes starting up around Mid-Michigan.

Tuition is about $700, but there are scholarships available.

For more information, click here.