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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of
Labor Elaine L. Chao
Ford Mustang "Job One" Event
AutoAlliance
International, Inc.
Flat Rock, Michigan
Monday, September 27,
2004
Thank you, Phil [Spender, President, AutoAlliance International,
Inc.].
And it's good to see you, Congressman Dingell [John D.,
D-Michigan].
Congratulations to the Ford Motor Company and to the workers at the
Auto Alliance plant on the roll out of the all-new 2005 Mustang roll-out.
Today, 40 years after the first Mustang rolled off the assembly line,
that great history of innovation continues.
Many of the innovations in the 2005 Mustang are plainly visible. But
the ones you can't see in the making of this new car are very exciting.
As you know, several months ago, the Department of Labor awarded a
$5-million grant to the Downriver Community Conference. It was used to train
1,400 workers in the advanced manufacturing methods needed to build the new
Mustang. These workers learned robotics, computers and other high-tech
manufacturing processes.
As many of you know, President George W. Bush is a strong supporter of
job training. For the coming year, he has requested $23 billion for 31
different job training programs across the federal government.
The hiring of 1,400 workers by the Auto Alliance to produce the Ford
Mustang is also an example of the high-value, good paying manufacturing jobs
being created in the United States. In fact, manufacturing jobs have increased
by 107,000 since January.
So I'm pleased to announce that the U.S. Labor Department will award
nearly $6.3 million in job training grants for the automotive sector. These
grants will be used to train workers on the complex components of today's
automobile manufacturing, as well as electronic diagnostic equipment and other
high-tech systems needed to service them.
I know that the workers here at the Auto Alliance plant take great
pride not only in the new Mustang, but in every car you build. You are part of
a long line of auto workers who, starting with the Model T, helped America grow
into the great, interconnected nation it is today.
Thank you.
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