Robust talent pipeline essential to Michigan
When it comes to Michigan’s economic prosperity, a robust talent pipeline is one thing that’s necessary for businesses to grow and thrive. Our employers needs to be able to fill the number of jobs available today – and tomorrow – otherwise the talent gap will threaten our business climate.
As Michigan competes with other states to retain and attract talent, we’ll gain a competitive advantage as we continue to close our talent gap. And talent attracts businesses to locate and expand in our state, and more specifically, our region.
The Michigan Career Pathways Alliance was designed to help tighten that gap by improving student access to career pathways and help schools enhancing their programs. To make progress, Gov. Rick Snyder, along with the Dept. of Talent and Economic Development Director Roger Curtis and state Superintendent Brian Whiston, announced recommendations and immediate actions that were used to create a comprehensive approach to improve access to in-demand and good-paying careers for students.
The Michigan Career Pathways Alliance includes more than 130 employers, educators, K-12 districts, higher education, union leaders and businesses, including Capital Area Michigan Works! and T3: Teach. Talent. Thrive. This dynamic group was designed to ensure every student in our state are able to reach his or her potential and know what pathways are necessary to obtain good jobs.
One of the components of this initiative is to educate students, parents and educators about the types of jobs that are in-demand and what education or training is necessary to be qualified candidates for these jobs. For example, did you know professional trades will account for more than 500,000 jobs in Michigan’s economy by 2024, and there are approximately 15,000 new jobs that are added annually during that time?
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A tool available to employers and job seekers that we often talk about at Capital Area Michigan Works!, Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MITalent.org), has more than 100,000 jobs that are unfilled across the state. Many of these positions fall into the category of professional trades industries, including advanced manufacturing, automotive, construction, health care and information technology.
It’s not enough to just discuss our talent pipeline, though. There needs to be actual action to make progress. The Michigan Career Pathways Alliance has outlined 17 initiatives to improve students’ access to the available career pathways, which are based off the recommendations of the 21st Century Economic Commission and the 21st Century Education Commission reports. Nine of the 17 initiatives have gone into effect through Superintendent Brian Whiston.
Included in those initiatives are ways to adjust perceptions on what’s necessary for the pathways to professional trades jobs, like registered apprenticeships. For example, TED’s Going PRO campaign works to diminish the previous perceptions of professional trades so that individuals know the opportunities and pay that come with those positions.
To join us as a member of the Michigan Career Pathways Alliance, visit www.michigan.gov/micareerpathways.
Edythe Hatter-Williams is the CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works! For more information about Capital Area Michigan Works!, the services we provide or the locations of our American Job Centers in Lansing, Charlotte and St. Johns, visit our website at www.camw.org. Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network.