‘Find Your Future Workforce’ webinar seeks to connect local businesses with tomorrow’s employees

Talent shortages are a problem. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management(SHRM), nationwide more than 75% of organizations have had difficulty recruiting for full-time regular positions, while nearly half have had difficulties retaining full-time regular employees in the last 12 months.

Locally, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) continues to come up with solutions for talent shortages through its Fueling the Talent Pipeline(FTTP) initiative, which aims to build tomorrow's workforce today by establishing relationships between organizations and local k-12 schools that offer related career training. But the effort requires the support of businesses. MCPED is therefore hosting the 'Find Your Future Workforce' webinaron Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 10-11 a.m. to introduce the FTTP initiative to interested organizations, to demonstrate what involvement looks like and to showcase how participation can provide positive results for all involved.

"Our partners play a key role in Fueling the Talent Pipeline," said MCPED Director Vicky Rowinski. "By partnering local businesses with Macomb County schools, we are able to expose students to career experiences such as tours, job shadows and internships. These experiences not only give students insight into what their future career could look like but it also potentially fuels the pipeline for those businesses."

In Macomb County, from January 2023 to May 2024, more than 300,000 jobs were posted by more than 9,700 companies, and those companies were posting for the same job an average of three times. Yet, the postings were active for an average of 27 days. Annually, Macomb County averages nearly 45,000 unfilled jobs.

However, the direct approach by the FTTP program has had proven results, by connecting students with local companies. Joseph Schonter, a senior at Center Line High School, spent this past summer participating in a welding apprenticeship with Upton Industries. He connected with Upton through the job shadow experience offered by the high school.

Schonter originally went into the job shadow experience looking to learn from an engineer. But during that experience, he expressed interest in his real passion - welding. From there, he was offered a chance to do the welding apprenticeship.

"During my apprenticeship, I had the opportunity to learn new welding techniques and gain hands-on experience on the job. One of the highlights was learning how to do pipe welding, something I had never done before," Schonter said. "I was even able to work on some of the company's ongoing projects, like a giant salt bath furnace. My mentor, Jerry, was an incredible teacher and one of the most skilled welders I've ever met. I hope to reach his level someday."

In addition to workplace tours, job shadowing, internships and apprenticeships, some other options to connect business to students include:

• Co-teaching
• Co-ops
• Mentorships
• Career fairs or expos
• Classroom visits

The Nov. 12 webinar will feature:

• John Onofrey, Regional Chief Nursing Officer at Henry Ford Health, a participating organization of the FTTP program.
• Christine Akroush, Academy Coach for Center Line High School.
• Jennifer Weot, Macomb County Senior Outreach Specialist.
• Students like Joseph Schonter, who benefited from the FTTP program.

Organizations that are interested in hearing more are welcome to join. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

Visit Fueling the Talent Pipelineto learn more about the FTTP program.

Don Gardner is a communications specialist for Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.