We Can’t Afford a Widening Digital Divide
Adults who lack basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills are facing a widening gap in access to learning and training opportunities during the disruption caused by COVID-19.
April: Michigan’s Smallest Labor Force since 1991
Statewide Unemployment Spikes in April Michigan’s unemployment rate reached historic levels at the onset of the pandemic, skyrocketing by 18.4 percentage points to achieve a rate of 22.7 percent in April — the highest jobless rate seen for the state since at least 1976 (as far back as comparable records extend) — according to data […]
Supporting West Michigan to Advance Inclusion
West Michigan employers are recognizing the importance in diversifying their workforce to meet current and future talent needs, understand business’s evolving consumer bases, and establish new markets. As a result, many companies are creating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) officer positions or delegating this important responsibility to their human resource leaders.
COVID-19 Pandemic Reminds Us of Vital Role of Child Care
In a March blog post, Quality Child Care is Crucial to the Workforce of Today and Tomorrow, we stated that “a shortage of high-quality, affordable child care hinders West Michigan’s talent efforts on two fronts. It not only reduces labor participation rates – it also prevents children from receiving the early education that is essential […]
The Lifelong Effects of Childhood Trauma, and How We Address It
A quote often attributed to Frederick Douglass contends that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
Will COVID-Era Unemployment Pay Keep People Out of Workforce?
What happens when it doesn’t make financial sense to go back to work?
Early Impacts of COVID-19: Resiliency in West Michigan’s Labor Market
Michigan’s unemployment rate rose by half a percentage point to hit 4.1 percent in March, according to data released by Michigan’s Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. Although this equates to 65,000 fewer employed across the state, it trails the 0.9 percent spike to unemployment seen nationwide, which stood at 4.4 percent in […]
Delivering Through Diversity
Delivering Through Diversity covers two key areas necessary for employers to create meaningful diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategies. The first is the business case for diversity and the second includes four imperatives to impact business growth and performance. Over 1,000 companies representing 12 countries were included in this research that expands on the quantitative correlation […]
To Improve the Talent System, Follow the Evidence
To Improve the Talent System, Follow the Evidence Note: This is the sixth in a series of posts analyzing the nine key strategies cited in our 20/20 Vision Report.
Unemployment Climbing in Michigan
Unemployment Climbing in Michigan Michigan’s unemployment rate rose by half a percentage point to hit 4.1 percent in March, according to data released yesterday by Michigan’s Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. Although this equates to 65,000 fewer employed across the state, this still trails the 0.9 percent spike to unemployment seen nationwide, […]