West Michigan faces a growing talent shortage, according to a new report from workforce development partnership TalentFirst.
The report puts a finer point on the issue regional leaders have long been working to address.
TalentFirst President Kevin Stotts says employers are competing for fewer qualified workers while technology shifts the skills needed to succeed.
“From our research and the feedback we had from business leaders, it was really how AI was changing the nature of work, not replacing work or occupations.”
The gap is driven by declining higher education enrollment - down 29% since 2010 – and an aging workforce, with nearly one in five West Michigan workers projected to retire by
2035.
Stotts emphasizes solving the crisis involves deepening collaboration between industry and educators.
“Employers have a role to play in terms of detailing their knowledge and skill requirements and what's happening and changing in their workplaces as far as their workforce needs. And then having good partnerships with those in K to 12 and higher education and local workforce development programs, so that there's that degree of alignment and partnership, in order to develop the talent that the region's employers need to thrive and succeed. That helps individuals thrive and succeed as well.”
The full report is available on the TalentFirst website.
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