Moving Up, Not Out: Workforce Challenges for Young Adults

Sam Singh, Senior ConsultantTwitter: @singhsam94

www.neweconomyinitiative.org

The goal of the $100 Million initiative is to accelerate the transition of metro Detroit to an innovation-based economy that expands opportunity for all.

New Economy Initiative

Ten Foundations◦ Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Detroit ◦Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Southfield ◦ Ford Foundation, New York ◦Hudson-Webber Foundation, Detroit◦W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek ◦ John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Miami ◦ The Kresge Foundation, Troy ◦McGregor Fund, Detroit ◦ C.S. Mott Foundation, Flint ◦ Skillman Foundation, Detroit

NEI Funders

NEI Context

The “new economy” is unknown The new economy is everyone’s economy Philanthropy cannot move markets $100 million is a drop in the bucket

Approved September 22, 2009

Entrepreneurial Eco-System

Workforce Development

R&DAnalysis of existing

resources

NEI Implementation Framework

Workforce Challenges and Opportunities

Barriers for Youth Employment

• Shift in Older Worker Demographics

• Great Recession- No more shortages

• Minimum Wage Increase (Really??)

• Urban Transit (Or lack of it!)

• Workforce Funding Cuts

Workforce System in the K-12 System

• Vocational and Alternative Programs

• Internships

• Service Learning

• Career Counseling

• Prepare Global Citizens

Post Secondary Education

• Lack of coordination among institutions

• Remediation

• Cost of higher education

• Debt load/Long term income attainment

• Disconnect between degrees and careers

Challenges for the Workforce System

• Fragmented System

• Workers Investment Act

• Incumbent Worker Training

• Disconnect Between Jobs and Job Seekers

• Hard to Serve Individuals

Colleges & Universities • Community Colleges • Workforce Boards • Training ProvidersTraining & Education:

Hard to Serve • In Transition • Low Wage • Current Workforce • Recent College Graduates

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Mid-level

Senior level

Talent Pipelines

Skilled & Employable Workforce

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Skilled & Employable Workforce

Build out the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

• Launch Pad Program

• Accelerate Michigan Business Plan

• Expand Tech Transfer and Training Programs

• Access to Capital

External Factors

• Community Place Making Strategies

• Network Development

• Incentive Programs

• Culture Change

What Michigan Needs to Do Now?

1. Reinvest in K-12 Education

2. Bring Back Promise Scholarships!

3. Invest in Place Making

4. “It’s Logistics!”

5. Global Michigan