Governor Gretchen Whitmer was one of the keynote speakers at a Workforce Pipeline Summit held Monday by the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber. 89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan attended the event at Washtenaw Community College and has the story.
"I believe we have to have a goal. Great expectations...we get great results."
Governor Whitmer told a crowd of nearly 300 people that in order to improve the local workforce pipeline, you need to address the issue from the start. That includes making education a top priority in Michigan by improving the overall educational system and offering more college scholarships. She adds that retaining students after they graduate from college is also essential.
"We want to make sure that we've got broadband across the state, that we improve quality of life through better infrastructure, clean drinking water, amenities that young people can find and demand nowadays. This is important for the health of our state today, but for the long term future of our state," said Governor Whitmer.
Kevin Van Kannel is the president of the office equipment rental serviceUTECin Ann Arbor. He says his company would benefit from a better workforce pipeline.
"I think its a challenge finding the right people with the right skills sets. We just need good people who want to try and then build off those skills sets," said Van Kannel.
During her visit to Washtenaw County, the governor also stopped by Ypsilanti Community Schools to read to students as part of National Reading Month.Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Make your donation to WEMU todayto keep your community NPR station thriving.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
