WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
WENDY M. SMITH
DIRECTOR, TRADES TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
“WE NEED MECHANISMS FOR FINDING, ATTRACTING, RECRUITING, AND RETAINING OUR WORKFORCE.”
If there are 5 high schools in a county, there MUST be at
least 1 or 2 members of the graduating class of each high
school that would find a career in energy interesting, exciting,
and a great fit for their talents and abilities.
EDUCATING YOUTH ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN ENERGY
How do you find them?
EDUCATING YOUTH ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN ENERGY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Activities for Science Lessons
Science Fair Support
Volunteer for Career Days
Host field trips
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Collaborate with Technology Instructor
Classroom Presentations
Host Field Trips
Science Fair Support
HIGH SCHOOL
Host Job Shadows
Collaborate with Technology Instructors
Speak to the Parent Group
Career and Technical Education Partner
HIGH SCHOOL CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMSJuniors and Seniors spend half their school day in
traditional high school classes and half the day in a
career-focused CTE program.
3 Electrical-related programs in Michigan
Electrical/Electronics Equipment Installation
and Repair.
Electrical/Power Transmission Installation
Lineworker
www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Area_Center_Map
_475713_7.pdf
OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH CTEPROGRAMS
• Advisory Board
• Classroom presentations
• Be a site for work-based learning students
• Participate in job fair simulations
• Think broadly-a student in Construction may truly be
interested in electrical work but no electrical program was
offered so she enrolled in the closest thing available
PARTNERING WITH YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE
• Be an internship site
• Participate on advisory committees
• Get to know faculty in your key areas
• Offer interview passes to faculty
• Establish a Department of Labor
Registered Apprenticeship Program
(College and Career at the same
time)
PARTNERING WITH YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE
PARTNERING WITH YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE
PARENTS OF FUTURE EMPLOYEES
MESSAGES OF THE PAST
In the late 90’s/early 00’s, the message across Michigan was 4 year
degree for everyone. The idea was just go with no clear messaging about
what the goal was beyond earning a degree-any degree.
People have an out dated idea of what work in the skilled trades looks like.
They think it is loud, dirty, stinky, and dangerous.
Parents have influence on their children’s career choices.
Parents want their children to have satisfying careers;
they often have a narrow idea of what options are
available.
BACK UP THE MESSAGE: Opportunities for young workers
that will encourage parental support….
flexible scheduling that facilitates continuing education
tuition assistance
title and pay rates tied to completion of college certificates and
degrees
MESSAGE TO PARENTS: choosing a career in energy and the
skilled trades is not an ‘alternative’ to going to college. In fact, it
is a compliment to a career choice, and college will be required to
be successful in the skilled trades.
PARENTS OF FUTURE EMPLOYEES
Host open houses and invite parents/the community to come and see what you do
Talk to the parent group at the local high school
Parents are entrusting their kids to you. Welcome them, answer their questions,
and let them know you value their young people
Bring your parent to work day
Include young workers in your advertising campaign
Partner with schools
ENGAGE THE PARENTS OF FUTURE EMPLOYEES
Where are you looking now?
Where else could you be looking?
Do you have a mechanism for recruiting underrepresented people in
the trades?
How do you recruit women to careers in energy? What do you do to
support them once they are in your workforce?
Where would people who would enjoy this work be hanging out? What
do they do for fun? What sort of activities do people engage in where
the skills would translate to electrical work?
BROADEN THE SCOPE OF WHERE YOU SEEK TALENT
THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW, AND TODAY
Value time with their friends and family
Want time to pursue their personal interests
Desire a sense of belonging and to be included
Need to know they are having an impact/want to
know that their contributions have value
Have a sense of social justice
Employers do not have the luxury of telling this generation “When I was
your age I was just grateful to have a job,” and other statements that do
not resonate with them.
THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW, AND TODAY
Flexible schedules
Provide opportunities for workers to give input to
processes, projects, improvements.
Develop relationships with young workers/take an
interest in them
Public displays of goals met/good work
Company-sponsored/supported civic engagement
Develop a company culture where the ‘new
worker’ feels at home
CALCULATING THE COST OF COMPANY-SPONSORED TUITION
How much does it cost to recruit, hire, and train a new person?
How often do entry-level workers usually stay?
If you offered a tuition-assistance benefit, of $2000/year, and it
helped you retain people, would it pay for itself?
CONTACT ME!!I LOVE THIS WORK AND I LOVE TO SHARE IDEAS
Wendy M. Smith
Director, Trades Technology Services
Lansing Community College
Technical Careers Division/West Campus
517-483-1132