Skills2Compete-Michigan.
In partnership with National Skills Coalition, the Skills2Compete-Michigan campaign seeks to raise awareness of the need to train Michigan residents for middle-skill jobs, which require more than high school but less than a four-year degree. These jobs make up the largest portion of Michigan’s labor market. Prior to the recession, Michigan was already experiencing shortages of middle-skill workers in crucial industries. With high unemployment throughout the nation, this is precisely the time to ensure Michigan is training the middle-skill workforce that will be critical to economic recovery and long-term success.
Key Partners
Corporation for a Skilled Workforce
Focus: Hope
Jackson Area Manufacturers Association
Michigan Community College Association
Michigan League for Human Services
National Skills Coalition
The SOURCE
West Michigan TEAM
Major Efforts
The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) April 27th Summit showcased the state’s next generation of Skills Alliances. Conceived of by the Charles Stewart Mott foundation, Michigan Skills Alliances are partnerships to align training needs within a specific industry sector or region. Several campaign partners, who facilitate skills alliances in their regions, were on hand for the Summit. This work has been critical to address Michigan’s demand for middle-skill workers and help a broader range of state residents access training necessary for good jobs and post-secondary credentials in the state’s new economy.
Released Michigan’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs in coordination with Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's celebration of the 100,000th worker trained under the "No Worker Left Behind" program. The report’s release generated widespread media coverage.
As part of National Skills Coalition’s Skills2Compete fly-in, representatives from Skills2Compete-Michigan met with members of Michigan's Congressional Delegation in Washington, DC, to discuss report findings in November 2009.
Publications and Resources
Reports:
Michigan's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs
National Skills Coalition, October 2009
Audio Briefings:
Listen to audio clips from a press conference about the release of Michigan's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs report.
- Introduction and Report Overview | Andrea Ray, National Skills Coalition
- Campaign Lead | James Vander Hulst, West Michigan TEAM
- Public Sector Perspective | Andy Levin, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth
- Employer Perspective | Tom Karel, St. Mary's Health
Media List
- A powerful force: Michigan should build its economy on the strength of auto workers, experts advise | Michigan Live, 12.03.2009
- Governor Granholm says no worker left behind to continue as state’s permanent workforce policy | The Michigan News, 10.29.2009
- Mott Foundation official agrees with study that says "middle-skill" jobs are key to Michigan rebound | Michigan Live, 10.26.2009
- Report sees job jolt in the middle | Livingston Daily Press and Argus, 10.19.2009
- Radio address: Celebrating a milestone for No Worker Left Behind | Jennifer Granholm, 10.16.2009
- Training for the future: Must meet need for middle-skill jobs | Battle Creek Enquirer, 10.16.2009
- 'Middle-skill' jobs called crucial to state economy | Lansing State Journal, 10.14.2009
- Mich. bracing for state jobless report | WWJ Newsradio 950, 10.14.2009
- Gov. Granholm visits Delta College to celebrate No Worker Left Behind program | Michigan Live, 10.13.2009
- Group wants state to offer job-training effort to all | Detroit Free Press, 10.13.2009
- Preparing the future workforce | Michigan Radio, 10.13.09
- State's economy may be turning around | ABC News 12, 10.13.2009
- Study forecasts shortage of 'middle skills' workers | The Detroit News, 10.13.2009
- Study: Michigan could see 650,000 new 'middle-skill' jobs requiring postsecondary education by 2016 | Michigan Live, 10.13.2009
- Workforce Alliance campaigns for middle-skill job training | Grand Rapids Business Journal, 10.13.2009
