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2. Top-20 region globally 64% Credentialed workforce By 2025

3. Early Childhood Development K-12 Education Post- Secondary Education Adult Workforce Development West Michigan Employers

4. 13 counties 1.6M people 10,000+ employers $5.7B economic output 860,000 in the workforce 90+ school districts 13 major colleges & universities 70,000 college students

7. Illuminate  Evaluate  Advocate Early childhood development K-12 education College and career readiness Higher education Veteran employment Employer HR Practices Entrepreneurism Talent attraction and retention WORKING GROUPS Workforce development 7

8.  Student performance declines after third grade  Too many college freshmen require a remedial courses  Post-secondary education attainment trails the top performing communities Outcomes 8

9. Future success will depend upon growing and attracting an educated workforce 9 Change in Credentials Demanded by Jobs in the Region Degree level Percent of jobs Change in number of jobs 2010 Baseline2025 Advanced degree2.43.28,400 Master's5.68.225,800 Bachelor's17.522.050,400 Associate's8.98.53,100 Some college (inc. certificates)22.822.312,400 HS diploma or GED30.9 22,400 Less than HS12.05.0-49,800 64%100,000 More than 60% of all jobs in 2025 will require a post-secondary education.

10. A Clear and Present Challenge: The region’s young adults are falling behind in educational attainment. Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey, 2011. 10

11. A wide set of skills across numerous industries are required in the TALENT 2025 region. Source: Burning Glass. 11

12. Preliminary survey results: It is a challenge to find workers with the following skills or education. 12

13. Source: Burning Glass. 44 What Employers Want Job postings lack educational requirements

14. The challenge of communication If employers do not post the required degrees or certificates of their position, it is very likely that they will attract unqualified applicants. Moreover, it makes it more difficult for applicants and educators to know what training is in demand. 14

15. What organizations are the most helpful to businesses? 15

16. Aligning Supply & Demand Workforce Intelligence Network ManufacturingITHealth CareEnergyAgriculture 16 Advisory Councils

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18. Focus Group Findings: Companies’ concerns about the education system K -12 Need for more hands-on training Companies teaching newer skill sets than what is being taught in high school –companies partner with schools to train teachers to teach for the industry High school counselors need to assist, nurture, and guide students Teach problem-solving earlier - don’t wait until college Post Secondary College students need better communication skills More collaboration/partnerships - with college professors on projects, to address issues/concerns, case studies, career services, etc. Colleges need to assist students to develop a well-rounded resume – don’t just focus on GPA Both Limited resources – cuts to programs/courses impacts future workforce 18

19. Older individuals cannot be ignored when working to achieve the TALENT 2025 goal. Source: IPUMS USA. 19

20. Performance data o West MI o County-level Leading practices Working Groups 20

21. The Information Barrier The middle-skills jobs of today and tomorrow will require more training than yesterday; however: – Too many educators and job seekers are not aware of the required skill sets for these positions. – Only if the region’s education and workforce systems are closely aligned with the needs of the employers will labor mismatches be avoided. 54

22. Projected TALENT 2025 Region’s Workforce Supply Flow 22 33% 15% 34% 8% Measurement Error 65 and older Employment Existing workforce age 18-49 Existing workforce age 50-64 In-Migrants Emerging workforce (HS & college grads)

23. What Employers Need Source: Burning Glass & BLS Occupational Employment Survey 23

24. What Employers Need 24 Soft Skills Technical Fit Comm. Math Technology Education Experience Marketing Teamwork Problem solving Reliability Leadership Being professional Creative thinking Atten-dance Work ethic Decision making Results- oriented thinking Engineering Ability to read blueprints Welding Machining Materials science Clinical medical skills Precision measurement Machine guarding Good fit Desire to learn Being resilient Ability to understand employer needs Ability to work in different workplace environments Reading Customer service Writing Language Verbal commun. Basic math Statistical data analysis Algebra Geometry Trig. Computer skills (MS Office) E-learning tools Writing code Degrees in Law, RN, Engineering Silver WorkKeys Mfg experience Internship or work experience Digital marketing Social media

25. Few job postings specify any required certificates for the positions. Source: Burning Glass. 25

26. Issues to be addressed by educators 1.Promote career paths to skills, not only to 2- and 4-year college degrees 2.Integrate soft skills training into course work 3.Invest in resources to coordinate (business mentors, curriculum, projects, tours, internships, apprenticeships, work study) 4.More STEM training 5.Equipment, technology and curriculum should mirror what’s used in industry today 53

27. Innovative Practices (West Michigan) 51 Birth K 1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 12+ Ready for School First Steps University Prep Academy Schools of Hope Believe 2 Become Kent Schools Services Network Herman Miller Academy Haworth/IChallengeU Michigan College Advising Corps Local Area College Access Networks Baldwin Promise Muskegon Opportunity

28. Where does business fit in? Partnering with the area’s middle and high schools to bring a better understanding of the world of work for both students, parents, and teachers Working with the area’s ISDs and community colleges to identify key workplace know how skills and needed technical skills 55