STEM Impact and Efforts in Northeast Michigan
WHY STEM?
Thanks to an economy that is bouncing back from the recession and strong growth in manufacturing and technology sectors, we are seeing a strong push toward STEM occupations. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupations are well-paying, stable careers that require advanced education, usually a Bachelor’s degree or higher. STEM occupations pay an average of $13 more an hour than the average for all occupations. Experts have agreed that the strength of a nation’s STEM workforce is an indicator of that nation’s ability to sustain itself.
STEM IN MICHIGAN
Among all states, Michigan ranks 10th in total STEM occupational employment, but ranks 7th in terms of STEM employment concentration, or the number employed in STEM jobs as a share of total employment. Michigan can partially attribute its high concentration in STEM employment to the large number of STEM jobs in Manufacturing. Since 2010, gains in STEM employment (+12.8%) have outpaced the 2.1% growth seen in in overall occupational employment.
The top three STEM occupations across Michigan in terms of total employment are Mechanical Engineers, Industrial Engineers, and Computer User Support Specialists. These occupations make up over a quarter of all STEM employment in Michigan. While in the Northeast Lower Michigan region, STEM related in-demand occupations through 2020 include: Registered Nurses, Physical/Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Family and General Practitioners, Medical & Health Services Managers, Public Relations and Marketing Specialists, Software Developers, and Accountants/Auditors.
LOCAL IMPACTS
In Northeast Lower Michigan, the loss of jobs, citizens, and skills, on top of an aging population, stresses our need to develop the pipeline of talent now and in the upcoming years. We must educate our youth to the opportunities available to them and address the skills gap we have locally to ensure Northeast Michigan’s future prosperity. Currently, just 14% of our region residents hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, which is lower than the 25% statewide average. By 2020, 4 in 10 new employment opportunities in the state will require some education beyond high school, and approximately 1 in 5 new job opportunities in the state requiring education beyond high school will be in STEM job titles. In addition, over 40% of our residents are age 55 and older, which could lead to talent shortages due to retirement, as well as increase the demand for health services to support this demographic.
Through 2018, employment in Northeast Michigan is expected to increase by 4.7%, with high-growth expected primarily in healthcare occupations such as physician assistants, dental assistants, family and general practitioners, physical therapists, and pharmacists. In fact, we’re already seeing this trend. In the 4th quarter of 2015, Healthcare occupations such as Registered Nurses and Physical Therapists saw sizeable increases over the quarter and the year, up 17.5% from 3rd quarter levels and up 30.6% over the year. Over 20% of job postings were for healthcare careers requiring a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
LOCAL EFFORTS
There are a variety of state and local efforts in place to raise awareness of opportunities in STEM fields, address the skills gap, and create the type of workforce needed for economic growth throughout our state. One of the resources helping to do just that is Michigan Works!
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium covers the eight counties of northeast Michigan, including Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle. They offer free services to employers, job seekers, and youth to help improve our local workforce. In addition to resume and job search assistance, Michigan Works! can help individuals explore careers and career pathways, research labor market information, receive potential tuition reimbursement, and more.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
With too few students pursuing degrees in STEM related programs, the US Department of Labor expects there will be 1.2 million job openings in STEM related fields by 2018, but not enough qualified graduates to fill them. Efforts are being made to encourage local youth to learn more about STEM skills throughout their K-12 education, and by introducing youth to employers and opportunities available locally, in hopes to sow the seeds to grow more local talent to meet anticipated future needs.
Michigan Works! helps to expose youth to STEM and Skilled Trades careers through area Talent Tours, high school Career Expos, and a variety of public workshops. One of the main goals of these youth efforts is to retain area talent by introducing them to local opportunities in the region.
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium coordinates Talent tours with employers and local schools. The tours introduce youth, parents, and teachers to available career paths in their region by offering a behind-the-scenes look into in-demand businesses and industries. The tours help students understand employer education and training requirements necessary to secure employment, as well as what opportunities are available locally, which may be the incentive needed to bring them back to northeast Michigan after occupational training and/or college. Impacts include relationship building, establishing a talent pipeline, talent retention, and the opportunity to see real-life application of coursework.
Educators have been very impressed with the tours, finding them beneficial in assisting students with career pathway decisions and giving students the opportunity to see first-hand what each job entails. Students report that they are very excited to see in-person what the day-to-day operations of these industries look like, as well as receive guidance on what educational/training steps are necessary to get into these fields. Many students are surprised to learn such employment opportunities exist right in their area. Employers say Talent Tours are an excellent way to educate the next generation of workers about the skills and education needed to maintain their workforce needs.
Career Expos are another way that Michigan Works! helps facilitate introducing students to STEM opportunities. Held at area high schools, Career Expos introduce students to local employers and teach students what employers are looking for and expecting in an employee. Expos are tailored to educator needs, but can include networking, career pathway exploration, resume and interview training, and introduction to technical education programs, STEM programs, and advanced education opportunities available in the area.
Employers or schools wanting to become more involved in Talent Tours or Career Expos are encouraged to contact their local Michigan Works! office for more information. Learn more at www.nemcworks.org.
Statistics thanks to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives