Report: Michigan Expecting Short- And Long-Term Worker Shortage

LANSING – Businesses now are short of workers with the needed experience, but in the long run will find themselves short of workers with the right education as well, a report released Thursday by Business Leaders for Michigan said.

The report, Business Leaders’ Insights: Michigan’s Workforce Strengths & Challenges, found that the state’s current workforce has enough people with the education levels most employers are seeking, but is short on people with the experience and specific jobs skills they need.

But, with the state’s shrinking population and generally low educational achievement and the changing nature of jobs, employers in the long run will be short on people with the educational levels needed, the report said.

“About half of all employers currently hiring for above average wage jobs are having some difficulty finding people with the right skills and experience,” Business Leaders for Michigan President and CEO Doug Rothwell said in a release announcing the study. “Skills shortages are common when economies come out of recessions and need to be addressed, but in the future Michigan will face a greater challenge in producing enough college and university educated talent. The state needs both a well-educated workforce that can compete in a knowledge-based economy and one with constantly upgraded skills to meet evolving demands.”

One study cited in the report said the state will need some 900,000 more college graduates by 2025 than are currently projected.

The report said it will not be enough, though, to simply produce more college graduates. The group anticipates there will be excess workers in some fields and shortages in others. Studies showed potential over-supplies of nurses, elementary school teachers and attorneys, but shortages in financial services, health care technicians and communications.

The report said educational institutions and the business community will need to collaborate to ensure graduates in the needed fields.

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