Michigan is investing in a once-in-a-generation transformation of its infrastructure and needs a workforce that is ready to meet the moment. Michigan’s vision is to build a strong, robust network of state, regional, and local partners that prepares Michiganders for high-demand infrastructure careers. As the state’s leader in workforce development, LEO is aligning industry, workforce, labor, and community organizations to create a unified, statewide approach to preparing the infrastructure workforce, through the Building Michigan’s Infrastructure Workforce program (the BMIW program).
As a signature initiative, the BMIW program will develop a public-facing Infrastructure Workforce Dashboard. LEO and MIO will jointly develop and launch a public-facing Infrastructure Workforce Dashboard. This interactive online dashboard will provide transparent, accessible metrics on workforce development progress, including:
The dashboard will serve as a central, publicly accessible ‘single source of truth,’ enabling policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to monitor the progress and impact of Michigan’s infrastructure workforce investments. All agencies will utilize the dashboard to visibly link infrastructure spending (roads, water systems, broadband, energy) to measurable workforce outcomes, demonstrating the return on investment in skilled jobs and community benefits.
Overall performance of the Michigan Statewide Infrastructure Workforce Plan. Currently 3,161 trained workers.
Historically, MIHI, MDOT and EGLE have developed workforce initiatives separately to meet agency specific needs, interfacing with LEO independently. Aligning, braiding, and expanding existing resources where appropriate — through a unified lens — will help generate synergy, ensuring labor market shortages can be effectively addressed. Developing a common set of metrics and a dashboard so all agencies can see the status of workforce development efforts across sectors. The BMIW program, led by LEO and in collaboration with Partnership Agencies, provides a structured framework for convening partners, managing day-to-day implementation of the plan, and tracking progress across agencies. This mandate establishes a “Team Michigan” approach so that programs, data, and funding are aligned toward common goals.
EGLE: 1,587 trained; LEO: 300 trained; MDOT: 1,274 trained; Total: 3,161 trained When considering the total labor shortages across the 84 identified infrastructure occupations, Michigan faces a staggering gap of approximately 70,000 jobs per year that must be addressed to meet the demands of the state's infrastructure projects.
Trainees by identified infrastructure occupations. The analysis of the economic impact on Michigan's labor market reveals significant findings. These infrastructure projects represent substantial capital investments aimed at generating labor demand and shifting labor needs across the state.
Projects according to asset classes of infrastructure investments. The study identified 84 occupations across 11 asset classes of infrastructure investments in Michigan, highlighting a broad and complex labor market. The analysis estimates that over 11,000 direct jobs will be created annually. Some of the workforce activities emphasized include general skills development, OJT training, registered apprenticeships, and CTE.
In some cases, workforce planning is a criterion for grant review but is not an eligible expense with grant funds and in other cases workforce activities are part of criteria for grant review and are eligible expenses. LEO conducted further analysis of the 127 programs prioritizing workforce development activities to map these projects according to their asset class (e.g., transportation, climate and environment, broadband, clean energy, environmental remediation).
There is an urgent need for all partners to support workforce training to meet projected demand. Based on the current labor market projections, the existing training programs will not meet the projected demand, highlighting urgent workforce development gaps across all asset classes, including:
Essential for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) broadband expansion
Training programs for solar, wind, battery storage, and EV infrastructure must scale rapidly.
Road and bridge projects require a larger pipeline of trained operators.
Water infrastructure upgrades require certified operators, but training slots remain limited.
