news

Workforce leaders: Demands for talent intensify

Published on: 07/25/2017

Capital Area Michigan Works! has access to leaders from some of the top companies in Mid-Michigan, with representatives from AF Group, AARP, General Motors, Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, C2AE, Fifth Third Bank, Sparrow Health System and LEAP serving on the Workforce Development Board.

The dedicated members of the Workforce Development Board provides guidance to the leadership team at Capital Area Michigan Works! to ensure the agency is best serving both businesses and career seekers.

In last week’s column, we discussed the challenges the workforce faces in our region with Jane Doty, chair of the Capital Area Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board, and Bob Trezise, president & CEO of LEAP.

This week, we connected with Bill Kimble, president of C2AE, and Thomas Ruis, vice president of the Commercial Banking Group at Fifth Third Bank, to discuss the workforce outlook in Lansing:

QUESTION - How do you perceive the current workforce outlook in Lansing? What are some of the things that most excite you? What are some of the challenges our region faces?

Kimble:“The current workforce in Lansing is growing in numbers to meet the increasing design and construction demand for public infrastructure projects. The talent supply is still not keeping up with demand, even though there are new community college and four-year college graduates every year. C2AE is challenged with finding experienced mechanical and electrical engineers, as are many architecture and engineering firms across the country.

Our region is challenged by the poor national perception of Michigan and our heavy industrial dependence. We work very hard to give potential prospects the facts about Michigan’s comeback and demonstrate the positive things about our region.”

Ruis:“The workforce in Lansing is fantastic, specifically in finance and accounting. Michigan State University and Lansing Community College are crucial assets to talent development at Fifth Third Bank. Additionally, insurance companies and other financial institutions headquartered in Greater Lansing further strengthen the talent pool in regards to finance.”

QUESTION - What makes a stronger workforce? What are some of the things businesses in Greater Lansing can do to make sure we have the talent needed to compete in a global workforce?

Kimble:“A strong regional workforce development program begins in grade school, where children are exposed to many professions and are shown how to apply the skills they are learning. Our firm regularly participates in reverse job shadow opportunities within the Lansing School District to showcase the career opportunities available in STEAM.

More businesses in Greater Lansing need to partner with the workforce to show them that we care through mentorship programs and annual training investments. C2AE is committed to providing mentorship and professional development opportunities to help advance the careers of our employees.”

Ruis:“A diverse workforce is essential to strong talent and the success of an organization – whether that be age, educational background, experience, etc. Greater Lansing attracts diverse talent due to it being the capital of Michigan, the presence of companies such as General Motors and the colleges and universities who call our region home.

New development is also essential to attracting talent. Fostering the arts and other entertainment, such as good restaurants, help make Lansing a more fruitful region. Economic development engines, like LEAP, and collaboration between Lansing, East Lansing and Michigan State University are essential to the growth of Greater Lansing.”

QUESTION - Anything else you’d like business leaders and career seekers to know?

Kimble:“I strongly believe that the Greater Lansing region will continue to grow in high-tech, health care, insurance and other STEAM areas to boost the local economy and expand our impact on the state and nation.”

Ruis:“Businesses need to support continuing education, training and career development for their workforce. Companies need to foster employee engagement and investing in employees to attract more people to the community and keep them here.”

We look forward to continued collaboration with our board members and community partners to strengthen the workforce in Greater Lansing.