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Happy Holidays and warmest wishes for the new year from the Cluster Team!
Sincerely,
Marcia Black-Watson, Industry Talent Director
Christopher Knapp, Industry Talent Director
Erin Duckett, Industry Talent Specialist
Rick Fisher, Industry Talent Specialist
Rey Guzman, Industry Talent Manager
Florine Davis, Cluster Team Administrative Support
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The 2014 Cluster Workforce Updates are intended to revise the key occupation tables found in the Cluster Workforce Analysis publications released in January 2013. Key occupations include job titles that show a favorable mix of employment indicators as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Strategic Initiatives and were identified by the WDA Industry Cluster Team as being important to their respective clusters today and in the future. With an emphasis on occupations, these updated reports provide an analysis of important indicators, including employment, earnings, education and training requirements, and real-time and projected demand. The Cluster Workforce Updates as well as the Cluster Workforce Analysis publications released in January 2013 can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/wda/0,5303,7-304-64363---,00.html.
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*Article featured in a special edition of Michigan Manufacturers Association's MiMfg Magazine.
As employers in Michigan look continually to find talented employees with the latest jobs skills, many are finding immediate and valuable employees through the state’s workforce system. In the current competitive economic climate, many businesses have a shortage of skilled workers – and that gap is widening. Finding the right employees is a vital concern in the ongoing challenge to be competitive and profitable.
Amid the expanding Michigan economy, there is a growing need for workers in a range of fields, including the traditional skilled trades, but also in health care, information technology and advanced manufacturing. There is a need for workers who can move quickly into journeyman status, with or without experiential and academic qualifications, as well as for a pipeline of youth to fill future jobs that will become vacant due to a retiring workforce, or new jobs that emerge through ever advancing technology.
To provide a qualified pool of prospective employees, Workforce Development Agency launched MI-AIM (Apprenticeships, Internships, Mentoring): The Path to Work-Based Learning Career Opportunities in Michigan. “MI-AIM provides a comprehensive outreach and communications strategy, resources and technical assistance with the ‘aim’ of creating more registered apprenticeships and promoting other types of work-based learning,” said WDA Director Christine Quinn.
One such program, the Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) provides competitive awards for the development and implementation of employer responsive training that enhances talent incomes, productivity, and employment retention, while increasing the quality and competitiveness of Michigan’s businesses. The program creates and expands collaboration between employers, 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.
STTF provides up to $3000 per worker to support new U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships, and many employers have been able to utilize STTF funds to establish or resurrect apprenticeship programs at their companies. With the help of $15,000 from STTF, Reed City Tool re-started its apprenticeship program. “We are thrilled to have received this funding,” said Rod Weck, president of Reed City Tool. “It couldn’t have come at a better time for us in terms of our training needs. Increasing the skill level of our employees is important to us as a company, and it’s important to our employees. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Five Reed City Tool employees will be trained by Ferris State University to become certified mold makers. Additional journeymen mold makers allow Reed City Tool to initiate more open capacity with customers, leading to improved lead times and more work for the company. The program has been well-received and timely due to the streamlined application process and quick turnaround time. “It gave us the ability to move fairly quickly and allowed the employer to move quickly on training once the application was approved,” said Paul Griffith, executive director for Michigan Works! West Central.
Michigan is considered visionary for its funding of skilled trades training. In the near future, more resources will be available to support MI-AIM, including new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and U.S. DOL's anticipated $100M "American Apprenticeship Grant" solicitation (scheduled for late fall).
WIOA encourages local workforce boards to use promising strategies such as career pathways and sector strategies to better serve workers and employers. These approaches connect employer demand for skills with worker characteristics and abilities to design education and training programs, consistent with registered apprenticeships - considered the most recognized “earn and learn” approach. The apprenticeship model is a critical resource for employers to find valuable employees to meet their workforce needs. Manufacturers should engage with their local Michigan Works! Agency to learn more.
For more information and a list of awards from the STTF visit: http://www.michigan.gov/wda/0,5303,7-304-64365_64538-312972--,00.html.
*Article featured in a special edition of Michigan Manufacturers Association's MiMfg Magazine.
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On Thursday December 11, 2014 the U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $100 million in competitive grants to expand registered apprenticeship programs in high-skilled, high-growth industries like healthcare, biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing. The Workforce Development Agency and Michigan Economic Development Corporation are convening an Apprenticeship Grant Advisory Workgroup with individuals from the MI-AIM stakeholder table, and other interested parties. This group is collaborating on strategies to apply for funding under this grant opportunity. For more information regarding the American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant visit: http://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/grants.htm.
For more information regarding the Apprenticeship Grant Advisory Workgroup please contact Chris Knapp at knappc@michigan.gov or (517) 241-4399.
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The Industry Cluster Team has been very busy presenting information regarding our work. Check out where we have been!
Michigan Works! Association Annual Summit: October 12 - 14
Industry Leading the Way to Cluster Success
CLICK HERE to view the presentation
Trends Conference: October 16
Top Job in 2014 - How can we meet demand?
CLICK HERE to view the presentation
Michigan Department of Treasury High School Counselor Webcast: October 17
Apprenticeships
For more information visit: http://webcast.mihealth.org/treasury/2014/schoolcounselor/
All Michigan Counselors Conference: November 3
Career Awareness for High-Demand Skilled Trades and Training in Michigan
CLICK HERE to view the presentation
Michigan Business Educators Association: November 6
Career Awareness for High-Demand Skilled Trades and Training in Michigan
CLICK HERE to view the presentation
Michigan Energy Forum: November 6
Energy Jobs and Education
CLICK HERE to view the presentation visit:
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The Cluster Team has many presentations in the works. See where we will be in the coming year!
Michigan Infrastructure Transportation Association Conference: January 22, 2015
Michigan Career and Technical Education Conference: February 2-3, 2015
Michigan Educators Apprenticeship Training Association: May 21-22, 2015
Michigan Career Educators and Employer Alliance Consortium: June 18-19, 2015 (proposal submitted)
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