{"id":14526,"date":"2023-02-02T17:23:56","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T17:23:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.michamber.com\/?post_type=news&p=13848"},"modified":"2023-02-02T17:23:56","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T17:23:56","slug":"a-new-legislature-new-opportunities-for-workforce-solutions","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.michamber.com\/news\/a-new-legislature-new-opportunities-for-workforce-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"A New Legislature, New Opportunities for Workforce Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Advocacy News – Feb. 2, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a new year and a new Michigan Legislature, comes a new round of budget proposals and negotiations. Policymakers and stakeholders have a fresh opportunity to purposefully and strategically engage in solutions to address the talent pipeline crisis that affects every industry in the Great Lakes State. With the governor\u2019s next fiscal year budget proposal to be unveiled next week, the Michigan Chamber has been working hard to outline potential, although not a silver bullet, ways to help members continue to grow and prosper despite these workforce challenges. <\/span><\/p>\n

One of the items the MI Chamber most recently signed onto is a series of strategic investments in needed talent development areas: the Michigan Skills Fund, expanded youth work experience and a one-time investment to the Michigan Works! Agency to help the organization continue to deliver transformational programs for the state\u2019s workforce. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To garner support from lawmakers across the state, the Michigan Chamber, <\/span>in coalition with the Michigan Works! Association, as well as other business and community partners, <\/span>signed on to a letter<\/span><\/a> encouraging the Governor and Michigan Legislature to consider the below proposals in upcoming budget discussions. As MI Chamber President and CEO, Jim Holcomb, said in the distributed letter,<\/span> \u201cMichigan businesses of every size, location and industry continue to face immense talent shortages and challenges. While there\u2019s no one silver bullet solution, these workforce program investments are instrumental and can make a meaningful difference both now and down the road for employers and employees alike to grow and thrive.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The memo, shared with lawmakers and the Governor\u2019s office, outlines three strategic workforce development areas that will foster a skilled workforce and strengthen the state\u2019s economy:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n