There are roughly 100,000 jobs available in the state, but Michigan’s employers say residents don’t have the skills to fill those positions.
While Michigan’s unemployment rate is below four percent, less than 62 percent of adults are working or looking for work. That’s because after layoffs and early retirements during the recession, many people chose not to rejoin the workforce.
Joe Haveman is the director of government relations at Hope Network. He said the state desperately needs more skilled laborers.
“Frankly the help wanted signs it’s a nice problem to have in a way, as our unemployment rate is so low, but we need to get people into the workforce so our economic development can continue. If employers can start hiring more people they can expand their businesses and everything will grow.”
Haveman said people often can’t take advantage of the work opportunities that are available because they don’t have the necessary qualifications.
“People can come out of college or they can come out of trade school or community college very little debt if they get into an apprenticeship program, and hit the ground running with a very good salary.”
Haveman said apprenticeship programs could help by providing cheap ways for people to learn new trades.
He said a first step would be reducing regulations on apprenticeship programs, particularly around nonviolent criminals and people with special needs, to get them into the workforce.