Southfield (WWJ)  -- In this era of massive auto job cuts, one local engineering school has announced a plan to retrain displaced workers.

Lawrence Technological University is offering grants for an unprecedented 50 percent of tuition to 400 displaced workers to help them take advantage of new academic programs developed to help strengthen and diversify Michigan’s economy.

The university is also opening up career networking opportunities to other displaced workers with college degrees.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Lawrence Tech president Lewis Walker unveiled “The Recovery Starts Here: Lawrence Technological University’s Stimulus Package for Displaced Workers,” a  three-pronged initiative to aid Michigan citizens impacted by the financial crisis.

“The Recovery Starts Here package is an investment in the future of our state and nation, and the right thing to do. We believe this is the first comprehensive package of recovery initiatives set forth by any university in the nation,” Walker said.

“The recovery starts here and it must start with us. We invite other institutions throughout Michigan to join us," he said.

The number of grants will initially be limited to the first 200 undergraduate and first 200 graduate students who qualify. Grant recipients will be expected to proceed on a full-time schedule until they have completed their degree programs, taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester if undergraduates, and six credit hours if graduate students.

Interested employers and job seekers can call (248) 204-4100 to register, or email  recovery@ltu.edu. There are no fees to participate.

For more information, visit http://ltu.edu/recovery.