Public questions Detroit Employment Solutions on program success claims

The Detroit City Council held a budget hearing on March 21, 2025, focusing on public comments regarding city employment programs and budget allocations. The meeting began with procedural announcements, including a 30-minute break before public comments were to commence, during which speakers were limited to one minute each.

During the public comment segment, several individuals expressed concerns about the effectiveness of Detroit Employment Solutions and Detroit At Work. One speaker criticized the organizations for allegedly misrepresenting their success rates, claiming an 80% success rate was misleading. The speaker shared personal experiences of feeling neglected after graduating from a program in 2017, stating that follow-up support was lacking. They highlighted frustrations with being treated disrespectfully when seeking assistance, questioning the narrative that many job seekers lack necessary soft skills.

Another speaker referenced recent graduates from local tech programs, emphasizing that many individuals in Detroit possess the skills needed for employment in software development, countering claims that a lack of soft skills was a widespread issue among job seekers.

The meeting continued with additional public comments, as participants engaged with the council on various budget-related topics, including a mention of a budget addition for a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). The council's discussions and the public's feedback reflect ongoing concerns about employment support and the allocation of city resources to address these issues effectively.

As the meeting progressed, the council members were tasked with considering the feedback received and determining next steps in the budget approval process.