Southwest Michigan continues to get older and less educated on average, according to Kinexus Group.
Kinexus held a media roundtable to update the community on the latest economic trends Wednesday, revealing some new statistics.
The region’s population of 55 years and older is about 19% higher than the rest of the state, which can affect labor force participation. Michigan Works of Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Vice President of Workforce Paul Kirk says they’re working to attract more youth and beat the curve.
“We are actively engaged with our school administrators throughout the counties, looking at ways that we could help strengthen — and in the classroom — helping inform kids in 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade of the opportunities that exist, the pathways that exist,” Kirk said.
Kinexus President Todd Gustafson says apprenticeships have been helpful, as employers have used them to secure talent. Plus, they attract younger workers to the area. He also noted that Michigan Works has one of the top apprenticeship coordinators in the state, thanks to a lot of support from the government.
“We’ve also received a $3.9 million U.S. Department of Labor federal award, and that we’re going to use to help with the manufacturing industry and healthcare,” Gustafson said.
Kinexus hopes its apprenticeship programs will help ease the age and population decreases seen in the region in recent years.
