Matt McCaulei
Experience, skills and education are maintained at the individual level. Only people and people run businesses and build communities. This has always been true. However, the traditional approach to economic development in Michigan and across the nation is to focus retention and attraction activities only on businesses.
As originally written three years ago, I believe there is a strong argument that there should also be more local and state policies aimed at highly qualified people.
In addition to our very valuable efforts to attract and retain business, Michigan would benefit from a broader talent-focused strategy that seeks to grow, retain and attract the “best and smartest” people to increase our current talent chain, business composition and entrepreneurial potential. In doing so, I would argue that business activity and per capita income would increase along with the overall economic resilience of our communities.
However, we are currently in a state of significant disruption in labor development, if not decline. At the very least, labor availability has declined dramatically in recent years. One key metric that best describes this is that Michigan holds the 10th highest middle age in the state and as such, its workforce is shrinking. This trend line will not change soon and is complex in northwestern Michigan due to population growth, which is largely defined by seasonal residents and retirees.
Historically, every prosperous community and successful business is based on a critical mass of highly qualified and hardworking individuals. Let’s not allow northwestern Michigan to be less than exceptional in this regard. Instead, let’s develop individuals and look for people who can build businesses and communities with the same passion as our predecessors.
Further, expand the definition of “high skill” and do not allow that title to be awarded only to those with a high school diploma. The economic potential for much-needed carpenters, electricians, plumbers, computer numerical control (CNC) operators, welders and truck drivers - to name a few - far exceeds the potential of several post-secondary diplomas being completed today.
As the economy and labor market continue to grow in this aging world, post-COVID, our strategies must now support both workers and employers. Unfortunately, too many people believe that workforce development is simply a set of government-sponsored job training programs. This is an essential function in the system, but it is only one part of the ideal approach of the 21st century to the development, retention and attraction of talent.
Workforce development also needs to be an integral part of our education and economic development system in order to achieve true success. Moreover, the development and acquisition of talent must be seen as a shared responsibility between the public and private sectors.
The future of our economy will undoubtedly be intertwined with the quantity and quality of the labor force. Moreover, as we have been taught over the last two years, our businesses and workforce need to be more agile and resilient than ever before. We need to recognize the importance of adaptive economic development strategies that emphasize talent as the foundation of business and community success. We must also encourage individuals to build strong career paths and networks that make northwestern Michigan a place where talented, creative and hardworking people choose to live and grow.
When closing the long-running radio show Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor always said: “This is news from Lake Wabegon, where all women are strong, all men look good, and all children are above average. I’ve always liked that, but for this time and place, I’d offer instead: “It’s news from northwest Michigan, a place like no other, where exceptional people are sought out and found.”
Matt McCauley is the CEO of Northwest Networks.