30 MiMfg Magazine July / August 2022
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Preparing Students for Vital Careers of the Future
It ’ s no secret — especially among manufacturers — that Michigan is battling a skilled labor shortage .
In every corner of the state , high-demand jobs go unfilled because companies can ’ t find workers with the training and education those jobs require . Long-term employment projections forecast nearly 530,000 jobs in high-wage fields will be available in the state by 2028 .
So how do we fill this talent gap ? As Michigan ’ s economy continues to evolve , STEM learning will play an even more significant role .
That ’ s because a STEM education ( science , technology , engineering and math ) can benefit students headed down any career path . STEM learning positions Michigan students for career success by building 21st-Century skills like critical thinking , problem-solving , digital literacy , collaboration , flexibility and creativity
The MiSTEM Advisory Council , created in 2015 , is a bipartisan-approved panel tasked by Governor Rick Snyder with setting a strategic vision for STEM in Michigan and moving that vision to action through the MiSTEM Network .
The MiSTEM Network , established by the council , unites education , business and community partners across the state to create pathways for all students to consider and pursue high-wage , highdemand careers . Through 16 regional hubs , the network encourages learning experiences beyond the physical classroom where students can take part in real-world activities that are relevant to their lives , communities and career development . And it ’ s working . Every day , middle and high school students are starting to gain real-world experiences that foster career awareness , while businesses benefit by
Energizing Our World summer camp at RMSC / GVSU .
building their talent pipelines and increasing brand recognition in their community .
In West Michigan , the Grand Valley State University Regional Math and Science Center ( RMSC ) is advancing STEM by engaging K-12 , higher education , business and community stakeholders .
Through local and state partnerships , for example , the MiSTEM Network ’ s Greater West Michigan Region and RMSC in July offered a new Advanced Manufacturing summer camp for middle-schoolers . The popular sessions included 3D Printing , Design Thinking and Automation along with industry tours , a career fair and a meet-and-greet with the Women in Manufacturing Association .
The MiSTEM Network prides itself on its role as a convener . We invite all members of the Michigan Manufacturers Association to join us in providing real-world learning that trains a robust and diverse STEM workforce .
To contact your regional director , visit MiSTEM ’ s website at michigan . gov / leo / boards-comms-councils / mistem / about . 6
Become a STEM Supporter
• Provide STEM expertise and career connections to classroom learning by engaging in problem- , place- and projectbased ( 3P ) learning
• Offer employee volunteers to support educators , schools , summer programs and the community ( Science Olympiad , Robotics , Junior Achievement )
• Donate financial resources — funds , grants or sponsorships
• Co-host with school career fairs , STEM fairs or professional conferences
• Host facility tours ( in-person or virtual ), highlighting STEM occupations , STEM careers and your employees
• Offer student internships or teacher externships ( to experience real-world application of STEM content )
• Provide mentorship for future courses and careers
• Offer job shadowing