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

smithw14@lcc.edu