Gov. Snyder pronounces “We Run on Brainpower” ability Initiative
Sarah Schmid August 7, 2015
At a heart for automotive research experience in Traverse metropolis, MI, this week, Gov. Rick Snyder announced a brand new statewide effort to publicize high-tech car jobs in Michigan in an effort to entice and retain talent. referred to as We Run on Brainpower, the promoting initiative will probably be directed by means of the Michigan economic building business enterprise (MEDC) and will highlight Michigan’s leadership position in developing automotive know-how.
“It’s an integrated communications program to raise awareness about high-tech auto careers,” mentioned Kevin Kerrigan, senior vice president of the MEDC’s automotive office. “The notion is that the auto industry continues to be the rust belt, and it’s vital for the trade and government to really take the opportunity to try and alter that.”
in line with a 2014 find out about performed by using MICHAuto, simplest forty one percent of influencers are very likely to recommend a job in the automobile trade. (“Influencers” embrace parents with youngsters a long time 12-17, adults in management roles of formative years firms, high school and faculty educators, career counselors, and academic advisors.) Kerrigan feels this can be a perception that must exchange if younger tech talent goes to be persuaded to start out a career in Michigan, over storied hotbeds of innovation like Silicon Valley.
although young engineering and pc science grads may even see the auto industry as sluggish and silly, Kerrigan mentioned it in truth has a excessive fee of latest expertise deployment in comparison with other industries. in keeping with knowledge supplied by using the state, the automotive business has created about 500,000 new jobs during the last 5 years, a lot of them at the technical level. Of the full U.S. automobile R&D spending, roughly 70 to 80 percent takes position amongst Michigan’s 375 R&D facilities, the place 70,000 experts are employed.
Kerrigan said state officials need to be certain they now not most effective make the case for young ability staying in Michigan, however additionally they plan to broadcast the message out of doors of the state that “Michigan is a great place to reside and work, and the tech alternatives we now have here are fairly prominent,” he introduced.
Kerrigan stated We Run on Brainpower is a component of a larger skill appeal and retention strategy that targets youthful Michiganders. As a part of that effort, the state opened the new division of ability and financial construction and the ability funding agency this year to help bolster Michigan’s staff. “The governor has elevated funding to group schools and packages for expert trades,” Kerrigan said. “ability is very a lot a focus for the state’s economic development.”
As of now, the We Run on Brainpower web page has a dashboard with stories and movies about Michigan’s auto technology sector; some spotlight tech opportunities within the state’s auto business, and some are “day within the life” interviews with folks already working within the business. “a number of the videos are excellent,” Kerrigan said. “I’d ask your readers to check out them.”
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