10 MiMfg Magazine May 2017
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Conversations A Key
Interview with Roger Curtis , Director of Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development
Q : You were recently appointed to the position of Director of the Department of Talent and Economic Development ( TED ) by Governor Snyder . Tell manufacturers a bit about your background , and how that experience will benefit the department , talent growth in manufacturing and the State of Michigan ?
Curtis : I come from a background outside of government . I spent the past 10 years as president of Michigan International Speedway , hosting two annual NASCAR races — bringing an estimated $ 414 million in economic activity to the state . We worked to make the raceway a year-round destination . I ’ m also serving as treasurer of the Onsted Board of Education .
Those experiences are valuable because an important part of my job with the Department is working to bring employers and educators together so students get the skills they need to get the good jobs that are out there . That happens best when schools and colleges know what , exactly , employers need , and they have the equipment to teach those skills .
Q : What initiatives does the Snyder Administration currently have planned for 2017 to address the challenges Michigan businesses face in finding , training and retaining skilled trades talent ?
Curtis : There are two paths that we need to take : Changing perceptions about the professional trades , and then making sure the structure is in place to build talent .
Too many people have an outdated perceptions of what the professional trades and manufacturing are all about . They don ’ t realize that the factories where their grandfathers worked are so different from what we have today .
Roger Curtis TED Director
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Named TED Director by Governor Snyder in November 2016 .
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Spent 10 years as president of Michigan International Speedway . Under his leadership , MIS hosted two annual NASCAR races , bringing an estimated $ 414 million in economic activity to the state . Also held leadership positions at California Speedway , Richmond International Raceway and Watkins Glen International .
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Serves on the Onsted Board of Education .
We ’ re building a campaign — Going Pro — to make sure people know that the future belongs to the skilled , and that there are many paths to good-paying jobs . We ’ re reaching out to students . But we ’ re also going to be getting the message to parents , guidance counselors and coaches — people who all are very influential in helping students determine their futures .
But we must do more than tell people about these opportunities . We have to help them get there . Gov . Snyder and the Legislature already invested $ 50 million to help community colleges buy stateof-the-art equipment for careers classes .
And , to get the grant , the colleges had to show how they would work with area employers to know what ’ s needed for jobs today and in the future .
This year ’ s budget proposal includes $ 20 million for a similar plan , only focused on the career and technical education centers in our K-12 districts . We ’ re also helping employers and people already in the workforce . Governor Snyder ’ s Skilled Trades Training Fund This is the fourth year of the program , and in 2017 about 4,000 people will get training for new jobs and about 14,000 people will get additional training to retain their jobs . The Governor wants to expand that investment to help even more residents and employers .
Q : What is your vision for what TED should be ? How are you and your team working toward that goal ?
Curtis : TED is a unique department , including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation , the Talent Investment Agency , the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Michigan Land Bank . We recognize that building stronger communities requires economic development , which requires talent to be able to grow and thrive . Communities need a sense of place and housing — and jobs — to attract the talent . Our mission at TED is to help with all these interconnected activities and make our state , as a whole , a stronger place .
Michigan has made great progress under Governor Snyder . But we are competing against other states and other countries . The state that does the best job developing talent will have an advantage now and long into the future . I ’ m focused on working with our employers , such as the manufacturers , and our educators to make Michigan that state . 6