Local governments help grow business by growing talent

This entry highlights collaborative programs from Wayne County communities. Previous contributions from Naheed have featured innovative efforts from throughout Southeast Michigan, including Washtenaw, Monroe, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.

We all know that the reputation of a local community and school district are synonymous for many people. So it makes sense for the leaders of each entity to collaborate wherever possible and support each other. After all, in many cases, they share the same constituents.

Based on results from a survey of community leaders for SEMCOG’s Economic Development Strategy for Southeast Michigan – Partnering for Prosperity:

• Nearly half felt that a skilled workforce and higher education were the region’s greatest assets for attracting and growing business;
• 25% felt the need for a skilled workforce was the biggest challenge to creating more jobs; and
• 50% felt that business/government partnerships and business/education partnerships were most important for job growth.

An educated and skilled workforce is critical to economic development and community stability. As schools are the foundation of a strong future workforce, local governments have a vested interest in supporting local school districts. An educated workforce also keeps businesses in local communities and in the region.

Partnerships between schools and business have numerous benefits:

• Local leaders create stronger ties that will help students develop skills needed for workplace success;
• Businesses gain access to a qualified workforce;
• Local communities can attract and help develop more business opportunities; and
• Schools become more aware of the talent needs of local businesses.

So what are the opportunities for collaboration, and how are Southeast Michigan communities partnering with schools?

Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly meets monthly with the Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Glen Maleyko to understand current priorities and identify collaborative solutions to mutual challenges. Mayor O’Reilly says, “A community is a sum of its parts. Through communication and mutual support, the City of Dearborn and Dearborn Public Schools can leverage their resources to improve services, respond to best interests of residents, and meet their expectations for programs and individual ambitions.”

Dearborn Police interns are sworn in. Credit: City of Dearborn

The city is also working to create a strong future public safety workforce. It sponsors a number of students each year for a two-year degree in public safety, while also providing them with 10 hours paid work each week. This effort to “grow our own” encourages students to take an interest in public safety, get to know their community better, and consider careers in the public sector. Students then continue their training at the Police Academy, after which they can be considered for permanent employment.

Westland Mayor Bill Wild’s Wild About Youth Works program is in its sixth year of teaching young people aged 16-18 about work ethic, good customer service and financial literacy. This partnership between the City of Westland, Wayne Westland Community Schools, the Westland Chamber of Commerce, Fifth Third Bank, and other local businesses commits to hiring a total of 100 youth for six-week summer positions.

Wild About Youth Works Kickoff. Credit: City of Westland

The annual program kickoff features business presentations on what they are looking for in their workforce, how to dress for success, interview techniques, and the importance of financial literacy and savings. City council members, administrators, schools, business, and other partners guide youth and help raise awareness of essential skills. Mayor Wild says, “A young adult’s first job will teach them work ethic, dependability and responsibility. As city leaders, educators, and parents, it is important that collectively we all do as much as possible to help our local youth enter the workforce, especially in today’s ultra-competitive job market.”

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has also been very active in connecting young Detroiters with work experience through the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) program, which is currently recruiting employers and students for the second year. The city is aiming to match 250 employers and 8,000 students by the time the program begins in June.

Credit: Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (http://gdyt.org/)

The comprehensive program provides students aged 14-24 with a combination of soft skills training provided by the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation and real paid work. Many of the largest corporations in the region have committed to supporting the program and/or providing summer internships. SEMCOG, which will employ two interns in our Data Collection and Analysis group, is proud to be a GDYT partner.

These are just a few local community leaders making a difference by supporting our future workforce. If your community has a strong relationship with your school district or other educational institutions, let us know and we can feature them in future blogs or other SEMCOG publications.