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Skills2Compete-Michigan.

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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.

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

Report | Press Release

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

Additional Resources:

A Policy Strategy for Winning with Michigan’s Current Workforce | November 2010