Bay City leaders gather to address the state's talent gap

 Marshall Plan for Talent bill package, signed into law today, offers $100 million in funding Marshall Plan for Talent bill package, signed into law today, offers $100 million in funding

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

BAY CITY, Mich. — Nearly 80 business, K-12 and higher-education leaders gathered in Bay City to discuss needs, potential barriers and partnerships to help form consortia that will allow them to apply for Marshall Plan funds and revolutionize Michigan’s education and talent development system. Today’s event is one in a series of Marshall Plan for Talent workshops being held around the state.

“The Marshall Plan for Talent is about tearing down silos and bringing business and education together to address the state’s talent gap,” Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Director Roger Curtis said. “The leaders in Bay City are ready to get to work. They have a strong foundation to build on and today are taking important steps in forming the partnerships needed to tear down silos and continue Michigan’s resurgence.”

The Plan, which was signed into law today by Gov. Snyder, 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.

“Today is the start of an even brighter future for Michigan,” Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Director Roger Curtis said. “With the Marshall Plan for Talent, Michigan will lead the world in closing the talent gap and better prepare all Michiganders to become lifelong learners.”

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.