SEMCOG recently had the pleasure of hosting the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) for Preparing and Connecting Talent with Careers, a workshop on how LEO programs are helping to prepare and connect talent to jobs.
As Southeast Michigan begins to recover from the devastation of the pandemic on residents, workers, students, education, small businesses, and service industries, preparing workers to thrive will make the difference between success and an economy that continues to struggle.
LEO is comprised of sixteen bureaus and agencies, including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS). LEO helps businesses to grow and thrive by growing skills to meet current and future employer needs, promote and support economic sector diversity, catalyze small business and entrepreneurship, and creating vibrant communities that make the state a place for all to live, work, and play.
As our partners from LEO described their priorities, we saw a consistent alignment with Southeast Michigan’s draft Economic Development Strategy. Increasing Shared Prosperity for a Resilient Economy is currently under review and available for public comment. The programs described in this article will help to implement multiple policies in the area of Preparing and Connecting Talent with Jobs (see pages 5, 67 of the plan).
Michigan’s Sixty by 30 Goal:
Increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 45 percent today to 60 percent by 2030.
So how does the Sixty by 30 initiative help to create a stronger workforce? It focuses on closing the skills gap, increasing access to education and skills, and promoting more inclusive economic growth. Most states have a similar goal for educational attainment, and in fact, several of our region’s counties have already reached this level and have targeted even higher attainment goals. Sixty by 30 has strong support among businesses, economic development, education, and the legislature to make this a reality.
One of the biggest barriers for accessing postsecondary education is cost. Two specific programs provide no-cost community college tuition (and tuition support at some private training institutions).
Futures for Frontliners:
Free tuition for essential workers
The Futures for Frontliners (F4F) program targets essential workers, including healthcare, grocery, and public safety workers who worked on the front lines during the early stages of the pandemic. It provides tuition-free education for completion of a high school diploma or equivalent (if needed) and either an associate’s degree or in-demand skill certificate. This program received applications from 120,000 people by the deadline on December 31, 2020. Thousands have already started taking classes.
Michigan Reconnect:
Free tuition at your in-district community college to earn an associate’s degree or Pell-eligible skill certificate if you’re 25+
Michigan Reconnect program has a wider reach, providing adults – aged 25 and over who have a high school diploma but no higher education degree – with tuition support at their local community college (or certain other institutions) – towards an associate’s degree or a high-demand certificate.
Skills to Work:
Learn new skills for a better job or return to work
The third program that will help Michigan meet its Sixty by 30 goal is raise postsecondary attainment is the Skills to Work initiative. This recognizes that lifelong learning is going to become the norm in the future. Workers need credentials to get hired but also to keep growing professionally. It provides links to online education programs and resources and information on in-demand careers.
While these programs address affordability, many adult students also require flexible schedules, academic support, and assistance navigating the registration process. Community colleges are well-equipped to provide these services.
Achieving Michigan’s Sixty by 30 initiative is good for our regional economy and will help to implement Increasing Shared Prosperity for a Resilient Economy by improving the educational attainment, earning capacity, and market-ready skills of Michigan’s workforce. Providing no-cost or low-cost education eliminates a major barrier for adults looking to improve their incomes, career opportunities, and pathways. Futures for Frontliners, Michigan Reconnect, and Skills to Work are just some of the programs helping to prepare and connect talent to in-demand and family sustaining careers. Look out for more information on LEO programs, including Employment and Training programs.
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