Governor's Proposed Talent Summit Aligns with OCC's Workforce Efforts
In his January 16 State of the State address, Governor Rick Snyder spoke of an economic summit to be held in March, referencing talent as a key economic driver, along with the need to align education with opportunity.
(Media-Newswire.com) - In his January 16 State of the State address, Governor Rick Snyder spoke of an economic summit to be held in March, referencing talent as a key economic driver, along with the need to align education with opportunity. Oakland Community College ( OCC ) is doing just that.
Led by OCC, a group of southeast Michigan community colleges is partnering with workforce development agencies and the Workforce Intelligence Network ( WIN ) to track real-time data on the unmet demand for talent to quickly prepare workers for new and growing employment opportunities.
In 2012, OCC developed specialized IT training for local employer HP, using real-time data provided by WIN. Labeled “Shifting Code,” this career transition program addressed critical workforce shortage areas related to computer programming and other high-demand occupations considered key to sustaining and growing Michigan’s emerging IT industry.
OCC Chancellor Timothy R. Meyer observed, “The work that OCC and WIN are doing has gained national attention. We are ahead of the curve on real-time labor data use. Governor Snyder is absolutely correct about aligning education and opportunity for our community’s economic prosperity.”
Other areas of development based on current and future needs include skilled trades and “mechatronics” – the newest skillset needed for today’s advanced manufacturing environment. Chancellor Meyer also emphasized the importance of integrating employers into the development and delivery of education. “The involvement of employers in preparing students throughout their education has become critical to the level of success they have when they enter the workplace,” he said.
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Funded by a grant from the New Economy Initiative, WIN covers an area including Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.
WIN’s goals include ( 1 ) the provision of current and actionable labor market intelligence to allow for greater regional talent system effectiveness, ( 2 ) the strengthening of an employer-driven system that serves as a resource hub and connecting point for regional businesses, industries and other stakeholders, and ( 3 ) the improvement of local, state and federal development policy through research, leadership and innovative practices.
OCC Vice Chancellor Sharon Miller serves as co-chair of the WIN Board and co-authored the WIN funding proposal.
Oakland Community College is the largest community college in Michigan, and the 23rd largest in the nation. With five campuses throughout Oakland County, OCC offers degrees and certificates in more than 160 fields including university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts, as well as workforce training and certificate programs. More than 700,000 students have enrolled at the college since it opened in 1965. Visit OCC online at www.oaklandcc.edu to learn more.
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