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They say work smarter, not harder. In Michigan, we say DO BOTH! With that approach, we’re not surprised Michigan is now ranked #4 nationally in workforce development. That’s according to the latest rankings by Site Selection Magazine which cited our state’s talented workers and strong colleges, universities and skilled trades programs.
The publication also gave Michigan high marks for ACT National Career Readiness Certificates, the National Student Clearinghouse data on bachelor’s and associate degrees, improvement in labor productivity, and other factors. This latest recognition shows the world Michigan’s laser-focused efforts to help workers secure good-paying jobs and businesses find the skilled talent they need to succeed is working!
Learn more about Michigan’s workforce development programs at Michigan.gov/LEO/Employment-and-Training.
We are excited to have Morgan Riggs join the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) team as a MI Healthy Climate Fellow! Morgan is a two-time University of Michigan graduate with a strong background in economics and sustainability.
During her 11-month fellowship with the MI Auto Workforce Hub, Morgan will support research, community engagement and communication for the Skills in Sync playbook and across all workgroups.
Please join us in giving Morgan a warm welcome to the MI Auto Workforce Hub team!
1. Data & Coordination
The LEO team is working hard on drafting the public version of the Auto Workforce Transition Report, based on high-level takeaways from research by the Center for Automotive Research and the Upjohn Institute.
In February’s workgroup meeting, we will review the draft report, including recommendations for how we can act on these findings. Please join us to help build data-informed strategies that support auto workers during economic transition.
2. Structural Barriers
The workgroup will not be meeting this month as LEO processes the RFP applications.
3. Training, Curriculum & Career Readiness
In February’s workgroup meeting, we will share planning updates and discuss the agenda for the forthcoming employer and educator roundtables.
The roundtable series will be an opportunity to gather direct input from stakeholders on the Skills in Sync playbook. Your feedback is essential to building successful engagements that will strengthen the career pipeline for students entering the manufacturing industry.
If you are interested in joining any of the workgroups referenced above, please contact LEO-MI-Auto-Workforce-Hub@Michigan.gov.
In Case You Missed It …
At the Detroit Auto Show, Gov. Whitmer announced the release of the state’s first ever Michigan Economic Transition Strategy focused on helping workers, businesses and communities navigate economic change and position Michigan for long-term prosperity.
The strategy lays out 30 concrete recommendations for action designed to:
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Support workers through periods of transition and skill change.
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Help businesses adapt, grow and remain competitive.
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Build community capacity to respond early and plan for growth and resilience.
Jonathan Smith, Director of the Community & Worker Economic, spoke with Forbes to share more about Michigan leading the way in helping the state's utility and auto sectors prepare for the future. Read the Forbes article here.
We are updating the cadence for our quarterly all-Hub meetings!
Please join us virtually on Thursday, March 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon for our first quarterly MI Auto Workforce Hub meeting of 2026. Moving forward, our All-Hub meetings will be held on the third Thursday every three months. Updated calendar invites will be sent soon.
In months we convene as the full MI Auto Workforce Hub, individual workgroup meetings will not be held. Instead, updates and activities will be shared in this larger setting.
Thank you for bringing your expertise, asking questions and collaborating to shape the future of Michigan’s automotive workforce!
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MI Auto Workforce Hub Data & Coordination Workgroup meeting: Feb. 18, 2026, at 11:15 a.m.
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MI Auto Workforce Hub Training, Curriculum & Career Readiness Workgroup meeting: Feb. 25, 2026, at 11:15 a.m.
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All MI Auto Workforce Hub Quarterly Virtual meeting: March 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
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