Adrian Daily Telegram: Walberg, panel discuss county job climate
March 2, 2016
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg and a panel of area officials at a "Growing Jobs in Michigan" forum discussed efforts Monday to train workers to meet demand at a town hall-style meeting.
Walberg, R-Tipton, led the program at the Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center before an audience of three dozen people, including members of the community, business owners and Tech Center students. First Federal Bank Market Area President Marybeth Shunck, Lenawee Now Executive Director Jim Van Doren, LISD Superintendent Jim Philp and Rima Manufacturing President Jed Engle joined the congressman.
Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce President John Bartoszewicz was scheduled to participate but did not attend.
Walberg said he came to the forum after he spoke with a "long-time employer in this community not far from here looking at expansion and building opportunities that will not only bring more jobs but solidify the jobs we have here."
Discussion focused on training and increasing the "talent pool" in Lenawee County, accomplished in part by new course and training opportunities at the Tech Center, Philp said, and companies training new and seasoned employees to help keep them locally employed.
Lenawee Now Director of Operations Tim Robinson said there currently are 22 economic expansion projects underway in the county, with $120 million in potential investment and 400 new jobs if all the prospective projects came to fruition.
Robinson said 13 of the 22 prospective projects are tied to manufacturing, with five of those 13 connected to the automotive industry.
Philp said the LISD is "always working on programs and we are training students to increase the job market potential."
One such example is the LISD's "reverse job fair," in which students invite prospective employers to an organized meeting at the Tech Center to promote their talents and to seek employment outside school or after graduation.
"We've also instituted College Now where, if a student is registered at the Tech Center, we cover college costs plus books and fees for their classes at no cost to them if it's within their chosen career path," Philp said.
Since its inception three years ago, Philp said, the LISD contributed nearly $400,000 to that initiative.
The LISD also hired a coordinator of placement services to work with business and industry, Philp said.
Van Doren said an ongoing goal to promote a healthy local economy is to grow talent for the local job market.
"After you get the talent pool in place, you then go for incentives," Van Doren said. "Sure, incentives are important, but talent is the No. 1 thing."
Walberg said the skilled and technical trade market should not be overlooked, when many are pushed to go to a four-year institution after high school that results in student loan debt.
"Not every student needs to go to a four-year college or university," Walberg said. "Through an ISD or a skilled technical two-year program, you can get the certifications necessary for a skilled trades jobs with no student loan debt. Some employers will even pay for you to have your skills updated."
Walberg said everyone must work together to make talent and job opportunities attractive at the local level.
"While we believe in free market and free trade, we have to make sure we don't put in unnecessary hurdles and tax structures," he said. It must be easy and fair. Educators, small businesses owners, and community leaders here at the local level know what works best for Michigan — not federal bureaucrats with a Washington-knows-best mind set."
"While we believe in free market and free trade, we have to make sure we don't put in unnecessary hurdles and tax structures," he said. It must be easy and fair. Educators, small businesses owners, and community leaders here at the local level know what works best for Michigan — not federal bureaucrats with a Washington-knows-best mind set."
This article originally appeared in the March 1 edition of the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Walberg, R-Tipton, led the program at the Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center before an audience of three dozen people, including members of the community, business owners and Tech Center students. First Federal Bank Market Area President Marybeth Shunck, Lenawee Now Executive Director Jim Van Doren, LISD Superintendent Jim Philp and Rima Manufacturing President Jed Engle joined the congressman.
Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce President John Bartoszewicz was scheduled to participate but did not attend.
Walberg said he came to the forum after he spoke with a "long-time employer in this community not far from here looking at expansion and building opportunities that will not only bring more jobs but solidify the jobs we have here."
Discussion focused on training and increasing the "talent pool" in Lenawee County, accomplished in part by new course and training opportunities at the Tech Center, Philp said, and companies training new and seasoned employees to help keep them locally employed.
Lenawee Now Director of Operations Tim Robinson said there currently are 22 economic expansion projects underway in the county, with $120 million in potential investment and 400 new jobs if all the prospective projects came to fruition.
Robinson said 13 of the 22 prospective projects are tied to manufacturing, with five of those 13 connected to the automotive industry.
Philp said the LISD is "always working on programs and we are training students to increase the job market potential."
One such example is the LISD's "reverse job fair," in which students invite prospective employers to an organized meeting at the Tech Center to promote their talents and to seek employment outside school or after graduation.
"We've also instituted College Now where, if a student is registered at the Tech Center, we cover college costs plus books and fees for their classes at no cost to them if it's within their chosen career path," Philp said.
Since its inception three years ago, Philp said, the LISD contributed nearly $400,000 to that initiative.
The LISD also hired a coordinator of placement services to work with business and industry, Philp said.
Van Doren said an ongoing goal to promote a healthy local economy is to grow talent for the local job market.
"After you get the talent pool in place, you then go for incentives," Van Doren said. "Sure, incentives are important, but talent is the No. 1 thing."
Walberg said the skilled and technical trade market should not be overlooked, when many are pushed to go to a four-year institution after high school that results in student loan debt.
"Not every student needs to go to a four-year college or university," Walberg said. "Through an ISD or a skilled technical two-year program, you can get the certifications necessary for a skilled trades jobs with no student loan debt. Some employers will even pay for you to have your skills updated."
Walberg said everyone must work together to make talent and job opportunities attractive at the local level.
"While we believe in free market and free trade, we have to make sure we don't put in unnecessary hurdles and tax structures," he said. It must be easy and fair. Educators, small businesses owners, and community leaders here at the local level know what works best for Michigan — not federal bureaucrats with a Washington-knows-best mind set."
"While we believe in free market and free trade, we have to make sure we don't put in unnecessary hurdles and tax structures," he said. It must be easy and fair. Educators, small businesses owners, and community leaders here at the local level know what works best for Michigan — not federal bureaucrats with a Washington-knows-best mind set."
This article originally appeared in the March 1 edition of the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Issues:Jobs and EconomyLocal Issues