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Skilled Workforce
Stability, longevity, growth potential, and diversity - this is Southwest Michigan's workforce.
There is a strong legacy of manufacturing in Michigan. With the constant and enduring midwestern work ethic there is a stable and productive workforce qualified in OEM, assembly, plastics technologies, manufacturing, and Tier-one and Tier-two metalworking. This workforce has also been moving forward with specialized training and educational opportunities - ready for new and advanced technologies.
Workforce Highlights:
- Regional pool of approximately 568,000 workers in the nine-county southwest Michigan region
- 50 percent of the workforce is experienced in all production occupations from automotive to advanced technologies to washing machines to customized tool and die machining
- 11 percent of the total workforce (about 50,000 workers) are experienced in warehousing and distribution
- 76 percent of workers own their own homes indicating a stable and consistent workforce
Talented professionals are saying southwest Michigan is the right place for home, family, and successful business. Healthcare professionals, lawyers, engineers, graphic artists, and educators love the opportunities they're finding to make a positive social impact in this rural/small-town environment and still be close enough to enjoy "big city" events in Chicago and Grand Rapids.
Diverse Business and Technical Education Resources
An increasingly critical predictor of business success is a company's ability to maximize its workforce's knowledge, skills, and potential with the right education. In southwest Michigan, your business will tap into abundant educational resources provided by community colleges, universities, and training centers to help you meet your talent recruitment goals, workforce retention, and education and training needs.
Emphasis on lifelong education begins with a strong commitment to superior primary and secondary schools. There are almost 32 post-secondary institutions serving the area -- including Western Michigan University, Andrews University, the University of Notre Dame, and branch campuses for Ferris State, Purdue, and Indiana University.
Two local community colleges are setting high standards for training in allied health fields, advanced technology, manufacturing, and business. You'll have quick access to all the workforce services you need to meet the challenges of growth, expansion and diversification. Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College have multiple campuses and dedicated staff trained to assist you with the customized training your workforce needs to grow and diversify your business.
For more information about higher education click here
Michigan Works is a workforce development association serving employers and job seekers. Professional consultants will work with your company and the local educational institutions to design and deliver the training your employees need. Click here for more information about the free services available from Michigan Works.
There is no doubt - whatever your workforce, professional, or labor requirements, you'll find qualified people to help you build your business.
For information on the local education centers, click on the links provided below:
University of Indiana/South Bend
Western Michigan University
