The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity — Workforce Development (LEO-WD) supports Michigan’s industries and businesses through a variety of programs, services and resources. Those supports include the Sector Strategies Employer-Led Collaboratives (ELCs) Initiative, Talent Development Liaisons, and many others.
See how Michigan employers are using Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) to close skills gaps, build stronger talent pipelines, and connect with qualified workers ready to meet business needs.
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Michigan's Sector Strategies create a framework in which many employers within a single industry jointly engage with the workforce system to identify their talent demands and challenges. Using this approach, talent issues may be handled more efficiently through multi-company, industry-focused employment and training programs.
Regionally, host organizations such as the Michigan Works! Agencies, community based-organizations, industry associations and nonprofits convene employers and other workforce stakeholders to solve talent challenges through Employer-Led Collaboratives (ELCs).
Through this work, the ELCs bring together employers, education and training institutions, workforce development organizations and other applicable partners such as economic development organizations and government, to create solutions to fill identified talent gaps. LEO-WD Sector Strategies’ Talent Development Liaisons provide technical assistance to support the activities of ELCs.
There is growing evidence that industry sectors are an effective organizing framework for positively impacting economic and workforce development activities. More than 25 states have adopted sector strategies as the way to do business. Michigan is taking this approach to the next level by implementing the Sector Strategies Employer-Led Collaboratives Initiative throughout the workforce system.
Where talent and business connect
LEO-WD has a team of specialists who drive workforce development efforts toward meeting the skill needs within the state’s key industry sectors. These Talent Development Liaisons (TDLs) are responsible for engaging employers and educators to address talent needs focused on mid- and long-term development skill gaps in key industries in each state region.
Use all opportunities to bring together employers and educators to develop strong partnerships.
Coordinate resources, both internal and external, to design solutions to talent-related problems.
Bring all assets and partners to the table to create solutions.
Sector Strategies ― regional, industry-focused approaches to building skilled workforces — are one of the most effective ways to align public and private resources to address the talent needs of employers.
Sector Strategies represent a new way for workforce organizations to conduct business: moving from a “program administration” focus to a more strategic role building regional talent pipelines, addressing skill gaps, and creating meaningful career pathways for workers in important regional industries.
An industry sector (sometimes known as an “industry cluster”) is a geographic concentration of related employers, industry suppliers, and support institutions in a product or service field. Michigan's industry sectors are broad for the purposes of workforce development.
LEO-WD works with the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics to develop Michigan Industry Workforce Analysis Reports. These reports explore several key industry sectors through a variety of data sources, including key occupations, education and training requirements, online job advertisements, occupational projections, workforce demographics, the talent pipeline and more.
Talent Pipeline Management, also known as TPM, is an employer-driven solution to close the skills gap and match workers with careers. Michigan’s employer-led collaboratives use TPM as a tool to help employers identify essential roles in their company, then map out a training path to equip new or current employees with the skills to succeed in those roles.
In collaboration with job seekers and educators, the TPM model can help employers meet their talent needs and create clear paths into high quality careers.
The Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce initiative aims to strengthen Michigan’s infrastructure workforce by expanding training and career pathways for jobs in transportation, water, energy and broadband.
Learn more about the programMichigan’s Employer-Led Collaboratives (ELCs) unite businesses within key industries to tackle workforce challenges together. Through shared strategies, ELCs identify critical occupations, forecast hiring needs, and redesign training programs to align with industry demand. This collaborative approach strengthens talent pipelines, reduces training costs, and builds career pathways for Michigan workers.
Your first step to success is to reach out to a LEO Talent Development Liaison (TDL)! Each TDL serves as a subject matter expert for an industry sector and can provide statewide sector-specific technical assistance.
Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org) allows you to post open positions and gain access to job seekers for free.
Support is available through LEO’s State Apprenticeship Expansion team to help you create a talent pool that will contribute to your bottom line and meet your future workforce needs.
Veterans’ Employment Services has a team of military veterans who help employers take advantage of the many benefits that come with hiring veterans.
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) work with business to support recruitment from our respective talent pools, including direct hiring, internships, on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities.
The Michigan Department of Corrections offers services and resources to support employers currently working, or looking to work, with returning citizens.
The Michigan Works! agencies cover the entire state, offering a variety of services to help businesses grow and address specific talent needs — provided generally at no cost.
Questions regarding Sector Strategies Employer-Led Collaboratives should be directed to a member of the Sector Strategies team.
Phone: 517-335-5858
Email: LEO-SectorStrategies@michigan.gov.
You may also contact your local Michigan Works! Agency to inquire about their local and regional sector strategies activities.
