Michigan
Workforce Success Stories
CUSTOMER VIDEOS
CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORIES
WORKFORCE EXPERTS
Governor’s Talent Investment Board
Christine Quinn, Director
201 North Washington Square, 5th Floor
Lansing, MI 48913
KEY WORKFORCE PRIORITIES
1.
Demand-Driven Training: Skilled Trades Training Fund- Michigan’s business climate and economy continues to recover from the devastating job losses of the past five years. However, the state’s labor exchange system is being challenged to find talent for businesses who are seeking individuals with new and emerging skill sets. The growing shortage of skilled workers threatens our economic competitiveness. To address this need, the Governor recommended and the Legislature supported the creation of the Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) program. The STTF provides competitive awards for the development and implementation of employer responsive training that will enhance talent incomes, productivity, and employment retention, while increasing the quality and competitiveness of Michigan’s businesses. The STTF program ensures Michigan’s employers have access to the talent pipeline they need to compete and grow, and participants have the skills they need for in-demand jobs. The program creates and expands collaboration between the Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs), economic development, and educational agencies by funding demand-driven training that addresses talent shortages hampering the growth of Michigan’s priority industries. The STTF program leverages public-private partnerships with businesses to design training models that adapt in real time with changing employer demand. Businesses who request funding must actively participate in the development of the training, and must commit to hiring and/or retaining participants at the completion of training.
2.
Regionalism- A comprehensive economic development strategy can only be realized when leaders in workforce development, economic development and infrastructure development communities unite in a common vision and strategy. Currently, each of these systems is struggling with a decrease in federal funding. This demands that the state and our regional providers break from the business-as-usual approach to ensure that the available resources have the greatest impact possible for job creators and residents. As such, the State of Michigan in working towards regionalism in regards to local service delivery areas
3.
Adult Education Transformation – Michigan’s Adult Learning infrastructure has been transitioned to create a unified strategic approach to increase basic skills and postsecondary credential attainment. The new transformation will engage a series of providers in the 10 Regions to meet the diverse needs of adult learners. The new system will build clear connections between learning and the promise and reality of good jobs, with the use of accelerated and connected pathways to help adult learners reach this goal. The system will increase access to quality adult programs, will hold the regional partnerships accountable for success and measure outcomes at the partnership level
FAST FACTS
- The State’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives produces long-term industry forecasts and occupational outlook for Michigan regions every two years. These projections serve as important tools in the decision-making process for educators, workforce and economic developers, jobseekers and policy makers and are one of LMISI’s most popular types of information. Such organizations use these data to help effectively plan curriculum for education and training programs, educate students and jobseekers on potential career paths, help ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently in government-funded training programs, and as supporting documentation to apply for Federal grants, among numerous other purposes. These and more resources can be found on our state’s labor market information website at: www.michigan.gov/lmi;
- Michigan’s Manufacturing sector has been the leading source of jobs since the end of the last recession, accounting for 41.9 percent of the growth in payroll jobs between June 2009 and May 2014. This expansion has significantly outpaced the increase nationally during this period, and has been primarily concentrated in the state’s key Transportation equipment manufacturing industry. Job levels in the Michigan auto sector have grown by 47 percent since June 2009. During the 1st quarter of 2014, however, Manufacturing employment levels remained unchanged.
- The industry sectors in Michigan where job creation has been above the national average since June 2009 include the aforementioned Manufacturing, Professional and business services, Construction, and Financial activities.
- The Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online (HWOL) data series provides a key measure of real-time labor demand in the state’s job market. The Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, through a partnership with The Conference Board, uses the HWOL data series to supplement traditional labor market information, providing insights into the characteristics of real-time labor demand. This indicator highlights the nature of online job demand today, as well as the change in occupational makeup of Michigan job ads since the start of the HWOL data series.alternative fuel, hybrid, and electric vehicles to meet renewable energy and energy efficiency demands.
LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS
Find local Workforce Development Boards in this state
INNOVATION STORIES
WORKFORCE TESTIMONIALS
Dear Governor Snyder:
Ben's Soft Pretzels is a business based in Indiana and is rapidly growing into several states. We have entered Michigan in several markets including Alpena, Michigan.
At the time we were looking for staff to fill positions in our bakeries, I reached out to the MiWorks office in Alpena. To say that this organization was helpful would be an understatement. All members of the office were friendly, open to our needs, and went out of their way to assist us in finding the people we needed to make our new Ben's Soft Pretzels bakery a success.
The representative I worked most closely with was Ms. Bernadette Schuelke. Ms. Schuelke assisted me with job posting, employee requirement, resume searches, career fair registration and participation, and interview space. We were fortunate enough to find a Bakery Manager through MiWorks. We were also able to take advantage of the On-the-Job Training support MiWorks offers.
Without the assistance of MiWorks, I am certain our search for a manager and team members would have been far more challenging.
My thanks to the State of Michigan and to MiWorks for being so business friendly and supportive for new businesses coming into untested markets within the state."
Ben's Soft Pretzels is a business based in Indiana and is rapidly growing into several states. We have entered Michigan in several markets including Alpena, Michigan.
At the time we were looking for staff to fill positions in our bakeries, I reached out to the MiWorks office in Alpena. To say that this organization was helpful would be an understatement. All members of the office were friendly, open to our needs, and went out of their way to assist us in finding the people we needed to make our new Ben's Soft Pretzels bakery a success.
The representative I worked most closely with was Ms. Bernadette Schuelke. Ms. Schuelke assisted me with job posting, employee requirement, resume searches, career fair registration and participation, and interview space. We were fortunate enough to find a Bakery Manager through MiWorks. We were also able to take advantage of the On-the-Job Training support MiWorks offers.
Without the assistance of MiWorks, I am certain our search for a manager and team members would have been far more challenging.
My thanks to the State of Michigan and to MiWorks for being so business friendly and supportive for new businesses coming into untested markets within the state."
Donald J. Drabik, Vice President--Operations
"Dear Governor Snyder:
I am writing to share our appreciation of the NE Michigan Works offices and related Workforce Development System.
Springs Window Fashions is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and has thirteen facilities world-wide to manufacture and assemble window treatments and interior shutters under the brands Bali, Graber, and Nanik. Our Grayling plant exclusively processes wood and is the largest North American purchaser and processor of basswood. We annually produce millions of feet of wood window blind and interior shutter components. We are the City of Graylings's largest for-profit employer.
Since coming to Grayling in 2003, Springs has increased its workforce to keep pace with our successful product lines. In spite of reports of large numbers of unemployed workers, it has been a challenge to find, recruit, and retain qualified workers. The Grayling, Prudenville and Gayford Michigan Works teams--particularly AnnaMarie Reno, Brenda Bachelder, and Kathy Bradley--have selflessly contributed their time and energy in our efforts to grow, and we are now over 100 associates strong and growing.
Since August, I have participated in two Michigan Works Job Fairs; each netted a significant applicant pool. Using the internet, we draw hourly candidates from nine northern Lower Peninsula counties. Many of these candidates apply on-line at the Michigan Works offices in Grayling, Prudenville, and Gayford. At each, Michigan Works staff provides assistance to the "computer challenged" candidates and explain our job descriptions and expectations. Michigan Works staff has toured our operations and are familiar with our work environment and expectations. I consider them valuable recruiting partners.
Over one-third of our associates are military veterans or active National Guard or Reservists. Our local Michigan Works staff helps us continue to seek and hire vets and intervenes to help resolve veteran-specific issues.
Your administration is clearly listening and responding to the needs of Michigan employers, and we truly appreciate your efforts and the progress you have made. AnnaMarie Reno, Brenda Bachelder, and Kathy Bradley exemplify the spirit of your efforts to bring Michigan back to the prominence it once held in manufacturing.
Thank you for your leadership on behalf of business employers within our great state. Please visit us at your convenience; it would be our pleasure to give you a tour of our facility and introduce you to our associates."
I am writing to share our appreciation of the NE Michigan Works offices and related Workforce Development System.
Springs Window Fashions is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and has thirteen facilities world-wide to manufacture and assemble window treatments and interior shutters under the brands Bali, Graber, and Nanik. Our Grayling plant exclusively processes wood and is the largest North American purchaser and processor of basswood. We annually produce millions of feet of wood window blind and interior shutter components. We are the City of Graylings's largest for-profit employer.
Since coming to Grayling in 2003, Springs has increased its workforce to keep pace with our successful product lines. In spite of reports of large numbers of unemployed workers, it has been a challenge to find, recruit, and retain qualified workers. The Grayling, Prudenville and Gayford Michigan Works teams--particularly AnnaMarie Reno, Brenda Bachelder, and Kathy Bradley--have selflessly contributed their time and energy in our efforts to grow, and we are now over 100 associates strong and growing.
Since August, I have participated in two Michigan Works Job Fairs; each netted a significant applicant pool. Using the internet, we draw hourly candidates from nine northern Lower Peninsula counties. Many of these candidates apply on-line at the Michigan Works offices in Grayling, Prudenville, and Gayford. At each, Michigan Works staff provides assistance to the "computer challenged" candidates and explain our job descriptions and expectations. Michigan Works staff has toured our operations and are familiar with our work environment and expectations. I consider them valuable recruiting partners.
Over one-third of our associates are military veterans or active National Guard or Reservists. Our local Michigan Works staff helps us continue to seek and hire vets and intervenes to help resolve veteran-specific issues.
Your administration is clearly listening and responding to the needs of Michigan employers, and we truly appreciate your efforts and the progress you have made. AnnaMarie Reno, Brenda Bachelder, and Kathy Bradley exemplify the spirit of your efforts to bring Michigan back to the prominence it once held in manufacturing.
Thank you for your leadership on behalf of business employers within our great state. Please visit us at your convenience; it would be our pleasure to give you a tour of our facility and introduce you to our associates."
John Metts, Human Resources Manager
"Dear Governor Snyder:
I would like to take a moment to personally thank you for the support of the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and Mr. Dave Droste’s work in organizing a Student Career Expo at Rogers City High School on Friday, November 4, 2016. This was a magnificent occasion for students to further their knowledge of career opportunities. As future employers I certainly appreciated the sharing of expectations of impending employees, be it technical education programs, networking, and skills in education or interesting career pathways to pursue. Student questions were answered thoroughly. I know I always learn something new with this type of presentation. This variety of opportunity only enhances and builds on the career education knowledge students learn in classroom presentations.
Thank you for your generous support of the Michigan Works! Programs that share their gifts of time, talent and career knowledge with students. This informational program was valued by both students and the Rogers City High School staff. I am truly appreciative and grateful for this opportunity for my students. Thank you!"
I would like to take a moment to personally thank you for the support of the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and Mr. Dave Droste’s work in organizing a Student Career Expo at Rogers City High School on Friday, November 4, 2016. This was a magnificent occasion for students to further their knowledge of career opportunities. As future employers I certainly appreciated the sharing of expectations of impending employees, be it technical education programs, networking, and skills in education or interesting career pathways to pursue. Student questions were answered thoroughly. I know I always learn something new with this type of presentation. This variety of opportunity only enhances and builds on the career education knowledge students learn in classroom presentations.
Thank you for your generous support of the Michigan Works! Programs that share their gifts of time, talent and career knowledge with students. This informational program was valued by both students and the Rogers City High School staff. I am truly appreciative and grateful for this opportunity for my students. Thank you!"
