For August 2021, Chris Holman speaks with Carrie Rosingana, CEO, CAMW! Lansing, serving Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties of Mid-Michigan, about the Youth and Young Adult Workforce.
To watch Carrie and Chris discuss this topic, click play on the YouTube interview below!
QUESTION: What impact do the youth and young adult populations in our region have on the
workforce?
ANSWER: Our region has a uniquely large number of youth and young adults in our workforce
system, thanks to Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, and the University
Center. The tens of thousands of students enrolled in these schools often hold a large number
of traditionally entry-level positions in the tri-county region. Not to mention the secondary
students from the dozens of high schools in Ingham, Clinton, and Eaton counties who are a part
of the workforce with their after-school and summer jobs.
With that significant portion of our community in mind, as we evaluate the knowledge,
experience, and preparedness of our region’s workforce, we need to consider ways to encourage talent and interest in a variety of fields so our workforce is prepared for the future. Investing in our youth now and encouraging them in their career exploration and talent development will help us create a stronger workforce in the future.
QUESTION: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the youth and young adult workforce?
ANSWER: Both secondary and post-secondary students in our community hold a large number
of traditionally entry-level positions, which have been difficult to fill throughout the COVID-19
pandemic for a number of reasons. As post-secondary students return to in-person classes this
fall at MSU and LCC, we may see an influx of available talent to fill those positions. However, as
cases and conditions continue to change, the workforce will look different than it did
pre-pandemic. Some students may be less likely to have a desire to work in restaurants, retail
positions, and other jobs with public interaction. We’re even seeing students changing their
paths of study and plans for post-graduate careers based on what they’ve experienced in the
last year and a half.
We must invest in the careers and education of young adults in order to recover well from the
pandemic. Helping them understand the different options for work, especially as they may be
changing their previous plans due to new uncertainties, will help the workforce for years to
come.
QUESTION: How can employers invest in youth and young adults?
ANSWER: Employers can invest in youth and young adults by creating and participating
in workforce development opportunities for them to engage in, like career fairs, job-shadowing
, and presentations to schools or specific clubs and programs within those schools. It’s vital that
employers invest in the youth now – workforce development opportunities are critical to a
productive and engaged workforce. Even more so, development programs for our region’s youth have an impact on the workforce now and in the future.
Creating job experiences and learning opportunities for our youth will improve their ability to
play a pivotal role in how our region’s workforce will grow in the next five to 10 years. If you’d
like to get involved with youth through Capital Area Michigan Works!, you can contact the
career and educational arm of the CAMW! Workforce Development Board, the Teach. Talent.
Thrive. (T3) Council. The T3 Council is a network of connected assets whose purpose is to
support education and talent development in the capital region.
The council’s mission is to establish a community committed to lifelong learning, led by business and community stakeholders, ensuring and maximizing the chances of lasting change that result in regional prosperity in an ever-changing economy. You can connect with T3 by visiting camw.org/t3.
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