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For the first EV Workforce Hub full convening on March 6, we kicked off the year with a special presentation from Kristin Dziczek, Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She explored how uncertainty affects an industry that thrives on stability, covering inflation, COVID-19’s impact, supply chain disruptions and upcoming policy shifts. Catch her full insights and slides from the 31st Annual Automotive Insights Symposium at ChicagoFed.org.
Over the next 12 month, Roush Industries, located in Livonia, Michigan, is upskilling 53 incumbent workers in partnership with Schoolcraft College. Courses include EV-related training including propulsion systems, charging and thermal management.
A recent update from Roush: “We will be upskilling current workforce and positions of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation technicians beginning with high voltage safety training. This training initiative will continue through our automotive electrification curriculum, culminating in the technician transitioning to either battery electrical vehicle tech, integration technician, or electrical vehicle field service technician. Those employees will work in the development of future and prototype electric vehicle technologies and low volume production of electric and hybrid vehicles, their components and wiring harnesses.”
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 The Workgroup continues to discuss the creation of an annual labor market report that would inform workforce policy and programming. Given the large industry ecosystem, discussions occurred on focusing on the core production of automobiles, EVs and batteries. Additional steps could be added to breakout data on upstream and downstream employers.
It was decided that launching the industry advisory group of human resources executives will be placed on hold until the first annual industry labor report has been released. HR executives will then be able to react to the report and provide real-time labor insights. MichAuto, the Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership and Talent First continue to support LEO in this workspace.
 This month’s workgroup meeting featured a special presentation from McKinsey Group focused on a Career Navigation Strategies Project. This project is tied directly to Michigan’s Statewide Workforce Plan, and McKinsey Group outlined the strategies for collecting the data needed to set clear goals and priorities for career navigation to support workers. The project seeks to support workers by providing information on career Pathways, training, and credentials. The overall goal is to create an integrated career navigation strategy to help career seekers find opportunities and support businesses in filling talent gaps.
The Structural Barriers workgroup conducted a robust whiteboard activity to further develop the key components of a successful barrier removal program. The group brainstormed solutions for transportation challenges impacting workforce participation. Key take aways include:
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Critical partners: Auto insurance companies, dealerships, repair shops, community organizations and transit authorities.
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Employer role: Financial contributions, flexible scheduling and transportation assistance as a recruitment tool.
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Participant support: Flexible eligibility, credit-building resources, license reinstatement aid and multiple ways to apply.
Next steps will focus on the development of a playbook that details the critical steps to implement a successful regional transportation barrier removal program.
If you are interested in joining any of the subgroups referenced above, please contact LEO-SectorStrategies@michigan.gov.
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EV Workforce Hub Data & Coordination Workgroup meeting: April 15, 2025, at 11 a.m.
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EV Workforce Hub Structural Barriers Workgroup meeting: April 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m.
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EV Workforce Hub Training, Curriculum & Career Readiness Workgroup meeting:
April 23, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.
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All EV Workforce Hub Quarterly VIRTUAL meeting: June 5, 2025, at 1 p.m.
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