Robert A. Straits
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Administrator, W.E. Upjohn Institute Director, Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works! Service Delivery Area Mr. Straits has 36 years’ experience in planning, program development, fiscal management, information systems, advisory committee staffing, contracting, and monitoring and evaluating federal- and state-funded employment and training programs. Brief Bio Full CV |
Expertise
Focus: Workforce Development
The practical experience acquired while serving as director of Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works! complements the work done by researchers at the Upjohn Institute. It helps unite the overall efforts of the Institute in trying to find ways that government-funded job training programs may offer the most value to those seeking work as well as to the agencies funding those programs.
Current programs include:
- Dislocated worker services (WIA)
- Employment services (Wagner-Peyser)
- Occupational skills training
- Remedial training
- Classroom soft skills / employability skills training
- Post employment training
- Incumbent worker training
- Prisoner re-entry employment and training (MPRI, Department of Corrections)
- Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act (TAA / NAFTA)
- Welfare reform (JET Program)
- Workforce investment (WIA - adult, youth and dislocated worker)
- Youth training programs (WIA)