Business and education leaders must work together to connect Michiganders with the more than 811,000 high-demand, high-wage careers available through 2024 and ensure students are prepared to become lifelong learners, Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Director Roger Curtis said recently as more than 100 business and education professionals gathered at Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) in Detroit, Michigan to discuss opportunities provided through the Marshall Plan for Talent.
As the Marshall Plan for Talent grant criteria is being finalized, state leaders are holding informational workshops around Michigan to help business and education leaders prepare to apply for the plan's funds. Today's participants discussed needs, potential barriers and partnerships to help form a talent consortium a critical and necessary component in the application process.
"Business and education partnerships through the Marshall Plan for Talent are key components in connecting the dots between business needs and how we can best address the state's talent gap," Curtis said. "Now that Michigan has this essential talent development tool, it's time to get to work to revolutionize our dated education and talent development system, so Michigan can compete and lead in the 21st-century global economy."
The Marshall Plan is an additional $100 million investment in innovative programs to revolutionize Michigan's talent and education system. It supports schools that want to transform education through programs like competency-based certifications, world-class curricula and classroom equipment, scholarships and stipends, and support for career navigators and teachers. The funding complements the more than $225 million in existing talent development efforts in the state.
The greatest demand for talent will be in increasingly high-skill, high-tech fields such as in information technology and computer science, manufacturing, healthcare and other business and Professional Trades careers. With more than 212,000 healthcare career openings through 2024, statewide business leaders are excited to lead the innovation.
"Beaumont supports working with education and business partners to help provide training and credentials to both schools and students near our facilities in southeast Michigan, and across the state," said Aaron Gillingham, senior vice president and chief human resources officer, Beaumont Health. "As Michigan's largest health care system, we're committed to innovative partnerships to help close the state's talent gap and provide our employees with the resources they need to succeed."
Learn more about the Marshall Plan for Talent at www.michigan.gov/marshallplan.
Published: Fri, Sep 14, 2018
