Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a $2 million grant to “support the growth and development of high-tech talent in Michigan.” The grant will fund projects to grow Michigan’s high-tech workforce and build talent pipelines for Michigan’s automotive, mobility, and technology sectors.
The grant was awarded to the Detroit Regional Chamber (DRC) Foundation and MICHauto, the state’s automotive, mobility, and technology cluster association.
“Michigan remains committed to investing in our state’s talent and implementing the MI Future Mobility Plan to lead future of global mobility,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s grants will help us reinforce our talent pipelines and ensure more students know about exciting opportunities in tech that can help them build a brighter future right here in Michigan. One in five Michigan jobs are tied to mobility, so investing in talent is important for both our state’s economic prosperity and quality of life.”
In a press release, the governor’s office explained that the grant to support MICHauto’s high-tech talent strategy will:
- Strengthen and expand the student-to-graduation-to-employment pipeline: MICHauto, along with other state partners, will launch a pilot project with Kettering University and Michigan Technological University to engage, track, guide, and retain students in statewide high school FIRST Robotics, Square One Network, and VEX programs in order to develop and retain the state’s high-tech talent pipeline.
- Measure perception to compete for employees from all backgrounds: Results from a survey of students, parents, teachers, and counselors about career paths in Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry will inform industry attraction and retention strategies to position the state as a destination for talent and compete for high-skilled workers.
- Analyze North American high-tech sectors: This project will analyze why high-tech talent concentrates in specific locations and come up with recommendations to make Michigan more competitive.
- Grow technology clusters across Michigan: Establish an organization to create more industry connectivity in communities across Michigan to ensure that no matter where you live, you have the same opportunities to build successful and in-demand IT or tech careers.
The grant is being funded through the Mobility Futures Initiative, a public-private partnership intended to invest $25 million in industry, infrastructure, and workforce projects related to the future of transportation.
