Workshop held in Macomb to help foster business and education collaboration, discuss Marshall Plan for Talent next steps

TED MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Olsen
517-290-7807 | olsend1@michigan

MACOMB, Mich. — Business and education leaders gathered today in Macomb to learn about the Marshall Plan for Talent and discuss partnership opportunities to revolutionize Michigan’s education and talent development system.

“Michigan is an epicenter for innovation. And as we work to keep up with the demands of a 21st century global economy, it is important we lay the groundwork for enhanced collaboration between business and education to continue that innovation,” Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Director Roger Curtis said. “Leaders in Macomb get that and are well on their way to creating the partnerships that will continue to move the region, and state, forward.”

Business, K-12 and higher-education participants joined together to discuss needs, potential barriers and partnerships to help form consortia that will allow them to apply for Marshall Plan funds. Today’s event is one in a series of Marshall Plan for Talent workshops being held around the state.

The Plan, which passed through the Legislature last week and is on its way to the Governor to be signed into law, calls for investing an additional $100 million in innovative programs to revolutionize Michigan’s talent and education system. It will support schools that want to transform education through programs like competency-based certification, world-class curricula and classroom equipment, scholarships and stipends, and support for career navigators and teachers. The funding complements the more than $225 million in existing talent development efforts in Michigan.

State leaders say the Marshall Plan is a key part in ensuring the state can compete globally in the race for the most and best talent for in-demand, high-wage careers.

“This plan is a critical component in the state’s economic and talent development toolkit,” Curtis said. “But it’s also a critical component to help Michiganders advance their careers, so they can be part of the innovation happening here, too.”

Michigan will have more than 811,000 career openings to fill through 2024, in fields that are facing a critical talent shortage. As the state considers talent preparation changes for these fields, the greatest demand for talent will be in increasingly high-skill, high-tech fields such as in information technology and computer science, manufacturing, health care and other business and professional trades careers.

For more information about the Marshall Plan for Talent, visit www.michigan.gov/marshallplan.