THE "NEW BEGINNINGS" PROJECT
          A FULL HIGH SCHOOL IN THE PLANT

    In the early 90's, the UAW and GM launched the "New
    Beginnings" program.  This program allowed
    employees that had not finished high school to attend
    a high school that was created in the plant and staffed
    by our training center, along with teachers from two
    local school districts.  Over 400 students earned their
    high school diplomas (not a GED).  

    During this program, due to the state requirement of a
    computer class for high school graduation, my fellow
    trainers and I were certified as Adult Education
    instructors by the Pontiac and Hazel Park school
    districts.

    Another segment of the New Beginnings program
    allowed employees to go full-time to college.  There
    were hundreds of Associates, Bachelors and Masters
    degrees earned.  We even had a fellow who finished
    his PhD shortly after the New Beginnings program
    ended.