In preparation for the Upper Great Lakes Talent Summit, we would like to share this information to update you about the strategies being implemented by Governor Snyder to address talent related issues across the state. In the Upper Peninsula, the three Michigan Works! agencies have aligned to form the regional Talent District representing the UP. Along with the Talent District partners, the UP Collaborative Development Council is diligently planning the Upper Great Lakes Talent Summit to be held on September 20th at the Island Convention Center in Harris, Michigan.
Background
On March 18 and 19, 2013, business and education executives, workforce and economic development leaders, and other stakeholders came together for the first annual Governor’s Economic Summit at Cobo Center in Detroit. The summit titled, “Collaborate. Create. Connect”, supported efforts to match Michigan’s talented workforce with the needs of its employers over the coming years, and identified opportunities for more robust regional collaboration.
Over 700 professionals attended the summit. Every economic region across the state, from the western Upper Peninsula to southeast Michigan was represented. By design, the more than 350 business executives were the largest group of participants. One of the primary objectives of the summit was to have these job creators and members of our communities provide their input, in collaboration with workforce development, economic development and education experts, on what the future demand for workforce talent will be in Michigan. As a result, the education community at the annual education summit in April had input from employers about the skills and occupational talents that will be in demand across the state.
Fifty-seven Michigan companies provided extensive forecasting that was aggregated by region and industry and provided to summit participants. These efforts helped identify the state’s economic development assets, specific talent needs, challenges to talent acquisition, and ways for the business community to connect with the workforce development and education communities. The results from all groups were consolidated by the key business leader, facilitator and summit project team.
The outcomes of the summit include action items addressing Future Talent Demand, Talent Acquisition Challenges and Connecting Employers to the Economic and Workforce Development Communities. Statewide and regional work is being done in all three areas.
Next Steps
Each economic development region will be holding a follow up summit to build on the Governor’s Work. Representing the UP Talent District, the Upper Great Lakes Talent Summit will be held on September 20th at the Island Convention Center in Harris, Michigan. Click HERE for more information about this event. This event will carry on the tradition of the Workforce and Education Summits that have been held for many years in our region.
Stay tuned to our Keeping You Connected emails for weekly updates including next week when we will share more about outcomes and expectations from the Governor’s summits.
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