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Oakland University Pontiac Initiative

North Foundation Hall, Room 121
318 Meadow Brook Rd.
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-4455
[email protected]

man and woman facing each other, smiling, in front of a sign that says "Magna"

Economic and Workforce Development

The Economic and Workforce Development team continues to meet with top employers in industries like healthcare, mortgage lending, aviation and aerospace, and commercial real estate. The goal is to conduct a needs assessment with top employers in the City of Pontiac to determine the projections and volume of entry-level hiring of talent.

Pillar Leads

Headshot of Wayne Thibodeau
Wayne Thibodeau
OU Lead
Senior Director of Career Services
[email protected]
Debora Younger head shot
Deborah Younger
Pontiac Lead
Economic Development Manager
[email protected]
Joseph Petrosky head shot
Joseph Petrosky
Community Partner
Associate Provost
Academics and Workforce
Oakland Community College
[email protected]
Headshot of Doug Smith
Doug Smith
Community Partner
Executive Director
Workforce Development and
Lifelong Learning - Retired
Oakland Community College
[email protected]
Objectives
  • Develop stronger private sector partnerships that connect residents to jobs and careers in high demand fields
  • Establish a ecosystem for entrepreneurs in Pontiac
  • Conduct a talent needs assessment with employers in Pontiac
  • Meet with church leaders and civic organizations in the community to identify members who could meet in-demand skills and talent needs
  • Connect residents to wrap around services, training programs and employment opportunities
Initiatives
Pontiac Alliance for Construction Education (PACE) Program
The Marshall Plan for Talent is a revolutionary approach to preparing students and adults for the careers of today and tomorrow. The Talent and Economic Development (TED) Department of Michigan is investing millions of dollars to create, expand, and support educators and businesses who create innovative programs for high-demand, high-salary, high mobility careers. Under the leadership of David Strubler, Ph.D., OU professor, Pastor Douglas P. Jones and the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition, a Marshall Plan proposal was submitted to target construction jobs to build small homes with Habitat for Humanity. Scholarships will be provided to Pontiac students/residents who participate in the PACE program.
Summer Camps
The OU School of Business Administration is pleased to welcome underrepresented minority high school students to this week-long summer camp providing students the opportunity to learn about fundamentals of business disciplines and education. Students will learn about different business disciplines, including accounting, economics and marketing to name a few. Students will be led by experienced OU business professors to teach students about the basic and not-so-basic components of a career in business.

The Economic and Workforce Development team continues to meet with top employers in industries like healthcare, mortgage lending, aviation and aerospace, and commercial real estate. The goal is to conduct a needs assessment with top employers in the City of Pontiac to determine the projections and volume of entry-level hiring of talent.
Outcome Data
  • Graduates in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program completed 462 course hours and were eligible to take the following certification exams: EKG Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider and Certified Patient Care Technician
  • Approximately 95 percent of the participants graduated the PCT program
  • The average GPA of the graduates was 3.33