CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH MARTY FITTANTE, INVESTUP
The Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council is pleased to announce the first-of-its kind comprehensive U.P. Labor Market Study, conducted by TIP Strategies, Inc., has been completed. The UPCDC consists of local economic and community development organizations and planning agencies from across the U.P., as well as Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! and InvestUP.
The study addresses several key areas including measuring wages & benefits, workforce shortages, seasonal employment impacts, commuter trends, barriers to employment and impact on jobseeker considerations, and retention, expansion, and attraction of business, investment, and talent. The study also focuses on existing workforce infrastructure, providing industry training projections, and identifying resources and best practices for greater economic prosperity.
Speaking on the significance of this study, InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante stated, “With this study in hand, which includes a comprehensive county-by-county analysis for each of the 15 U.P. counties, we continue a collaborative effort with our partners to ensure there is timely and relevant data to drive strategies to retain and attract talent to the region. With the positive albeit modest population trends the U.P. has experienced over the last two years, this study is timely as it provides both a macro and micro view of the U.P. economy to employ meaningful workforce strategies to build upon the momentum the Upper Peninsula is presently experiencing.”
Adding to this outlook, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! CEO Debb Brunell added, “This Labor Market Study will aid our organization, service providers, and most importantly the private sector to zero in on impactful measures to retain the talent that resides here and attract the working families we need to sustain the in demand needs of U.P, employers now and into the future.”
TIP Strategies Senior Partner Jeff Marcell reflected on the study saying, “Through a comprehensive analysis of the UP labor market, data revealed critical insights into emerging trends and challenges at the county level. These findings illuminate the path forward, guiding local stakeholders in making data informed decisions for fostering a robust and resilient workforce. Although the findings highlighted various challenges and opportunities in each county, key insights emerged.
These include the ongoing necessity for programs that expose individuals to different careers, particularly in the skilled trades. Additionally, support for entrepreneurs, especially in the technology and engineering sectors and in rural counties with limited resources, is essential.
The study also emphasized the significant effect that talent retention and attraction efforts could have in supporting and expanding existing businesses, especially in counties experiencing declining and aging populations.”
Funding for this project comes from a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) grant, as well as a matching funds grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Fittante noted, “This undertaking is possible only because of the strong working partnership that exists between the varied economic, community and workforce development stakeholders across the Upper Peninsula, and their collective decision that the best use of these funds was to invest in a comprehensive labor market study that is now publicly available to assist U.P. employers and organizations.”
To view the U.P. Labor Market Study, please visit the ‘UP Data Center’ on Investupmi.com, or directly access it here, UP Data Center – InvestUP (investupmi.com)
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