Governor Announces Launch of Website to Promote Manufacturing

Contact: Maura Campbell 517-373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

The site was unveiled today at General Motors Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant by Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director David C. Hollister and Department of Information Technology Director Teri Takai, whose departments partnered in recent months to develop the site. The GM Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant staff and Michigan Manufacturers Association assisted with the launch.

The introduction features historic factory images from the Henry Ford Collection, which are symbolically shattered and replaced with techno music and photos from today's high-tech manufacturing setting.

"This is not your average state of Michiganwebsite.   Its cutting edge design reflects the fact that Michiganis shattering outdated stereotypes about the manufacturing industry," Granholm said. "The state is working to prepare a 21^st century workforce to fill the estimated 20,000 jobs that are expected to open annually due to retirements of baby boomers. We want students, teachers and parents to visit this site and get a second look at the types of exciting and well-paid careers available now and in the future."

The theme of the website is "New Age, New Look, and New Opportunities." The website highlights career options that are available in a variety of manufacturing settings including automotive, aerospace, nanotechnology, and computers.   Job titles featured include human resources, purchasing agents, safety engineers, electricians, and pipefitters.

"With negative headlines about manufacturing plants closing, we don't want parents and teachers to shut the doors on students, discouraging them from pursuing careers in the industry when there are so many great opportunities available. Manufacturing workers in Michiganare amongst the highest paid and most productive in the state," Hollister said. "Continued productivity improvements, technological and process improvements in manufacturing are also requiring manufacturing workers of the future to possess higher levels of educational attainment then the industry's current workforce."

According to DLEG's Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives, in addition to the demand to fill openings caused by retirements across the industry, there are industries within manufacturing that are expected to post gains in the 2002-2012 forecast timeframe. The Plastics and Rubber products industry is projected to expand by 8,140 new jobs; machinery manufacturing by 3,600; nonmetallic mineral products manufacturing by 2,390; and chemicals with 1,600 new jobs.

Hollister said DLEG approached General Motors Lansing Grand River Assembly to assist with the task of dispelling outdated images of the manufacturing setting. GM agreed to allow the State of Michiganto feature its assembly, paint and body divisions in a virtual tour and showcase its Lansing Area Manufacturing Partnership student program. The GM virtual tour is narrated by teens, additionally the site includes interviews with LAMP students sharing their thoughts on why they plan to pursue careers in manufacturing.

Hollister said Michiganhas a lot to offer young people interested in manufacturing careers since it's the No. 1 state for automotive research and development (R&D), spending $10.3 billion annually and employing over 60,000 professionals. The state is No. 2 in the nation for overall R&D expenditures. 

"When I talk to people about manufacturing, I find that most people associate the industry with outdated Hollywood images of the factory line in dirty and dark conditions," Hollister said. "I thank GM Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant Manager Amy Farmer and her team for allowing us to bring in cameras to show the world how high-tech and innovative Michigan's manufacturers are. It's a learning experience for anyone who has never been in a plant before."

Michigan Manufacturers Association Director of Education and Employment Relations Amy Shaw said the website is needed to help meet its members' demand for high-tech workers. According to the MMA, manufacturing contributes 23 percent of the state's Gross State Product - nearly $74 billion out of a total $230 billion. Additionally the manufacturing industry employs some 710,000 workers of the state's total workforce - about 17 percent.

"There is a growing need for skilled employees in the Michiganmanufacturing industry, as the sector continues to modernize and the ‘baby boom' generation prepares for retirement. Most jobs in the industry will require post-secondary training, technical skills and experience," Shaw said. "We applaud the state for creating this tool so students, parents and teachers can learn more about Michigan's manufacturing industry, which is one of the most diverse in the world."

Takai, who is DIT director and the state's chief information officer, said this website had special meaning to her. 

"This project posed a unique challenge because we are targeting young people, who expect a multi-sensory experience when they visit a website. To capture their attention, we felt this was the perfect time to unveil the state's first blog with virtual hosts as well as music and narrations that kids can associate with," Takai said. "I hope this site encourages young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in manufacturing since I too studied mathematics and management for a career in the automotive industry prior to joining the Granholm administration."

The state's Careers in Manufacturers website features current salary information with "How Much Do They Make?" For example, an electrical engineer in Michiganmakes $75,696 a year. The National Academy of Engineering's "Engineer Girl!" website indicates the average starting salary in the U.S.for an engineer with a bachelor's (4-5 year) degree ranges from $36,000 to $50,000. The website notes: "This is significantly higher than salaries for graduates with bachelor's degrees in many other fields. In comparison, lawyers starting out after at least 7 years of school average $45,000."

The state website also features resources to find "New Opportunities' in manufacturing including education and financial aid information, job openings and internships.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.