Panelists agree: Bridging state’s talent gap vital to its economic future

Education, business and government leaders explore potential solutions to looming crisis

Michigan is at a talent pipeline crossroads. Employers can’t fill jobs because of the lack of a sufficiently skilled workforce.

Projections by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show Michigan will experience a Professional Trades workforce gap of more than 811,000 openings through 2024 in several high-demand, high-wage careers in the information technology and computer science, health care, manufacturing and other business and Professional Trades industries.

To help address the issue, the Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan brought together a multitalented panel of education, business and economic and professional development leaders to explore the issue from a variety of angles.

In a lively discussion moderated by Lansing State Journal Editor Stephanie Angel, panelists offered insights into the causes of and potential solutions to filling the gaps in Michigan’s talent pipeline.

Source: Panelists agree: Bridging state’s talent gap vital to its economic future