The Environmental Scan for Northeast Michigan was conducted during the late spring and early summer 2000, in response to the Department of Career Development’s Building Strategic Partnerships for Career Development initiative. The Environmental Scan and Career Development Report Card is the second step (Phase two) of a five phase, year-long process for developing a comprehensive and community driven process “to develop a system that produces a workforce with the required skills to maintain and enhance the Michigan economy” (Michigan Department of Career Development, 2000). The purpose of this process is to encourage and support “systems change”. (Phase II completion date:August 31, 2000) 

The first step (Phase one) took place when the Region’s Workforce Development Board and educational community submitted a “Letter of Intent” to the Michigan Department of Career Development declaring their intent to form a strategic partnership. (Phase I completion date:March 31, 2000) 

Phase Three is an opportunity for the Northeast Michigan Region, as a community, to review and have input into the document through a period of “Community Consensus and Outreach”. Modifications to the Report Card will be made as a result of the Outreach activities. (Phase III completion date:October 15, 2000) 

Phase Four, “Strategic Assets and Comprehensive Plan”, will identify the programs and institutions that are moving toward the goals and outcomes identified, and will develop a plan to enable all players to achieve these goals and outcomes. (Phase IV completion date:November 30, 2000) 

Phase Five, the “Operational Plan”, will consolidate into a single plan the annual spending plans of participating institutions that relate to the Career Development Plan thus translating Goals and Outcomes into action. (Phase V completion date:January 31, 2001) 

The Region 

The Northeast Region of Michigan encompasses an eight county area:Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle. Included in the Region are 17 K-12 Districts, three ISDs/ESDs (Alpena, Montmorency, and Alcona ESD, Cheboygan, Otsego and Presque Isle ISD, and  Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Roscommon ISD), three community colleges (Alpena Community College, Kirtland Community College and North Central Michigan College), and off-campus sites of three college/universities: Davenport University, Lake Superior State University, and Spring Arbor College. 

The Northeast Region of Michigan has a land area of 4,809.9 square miles and hosts a population of 134,947 (1998 census estimate). The environmental scanning process for Northeast Michigan, Region 21, has included a comprehensive review of data related to the demographics of this eight county Region including population growth and trends; income, poverty and educational attainment levels; a review of the economic and business conditions including current and future labor supply and need for skilled labor in the Region; and information not only regarding the fastest growing occupations but those considered “high-wage, high skill”. The status of technology within the Region and the limitations of technology availability in the Region were reviewed. Data regarding the Career Development System education and training opportunities available to support “high-wage, high-skill” jobs has been reviewed as well. This data forms the base for the preliminary conclusions and priorities reached by the partners and communities participating in the development of this document. 

Typically, Northeast Michigan has not done as well economically as other regions of the state. The population base is relatively low for the size of the region as compared to other regions of the state, and age demographics indicate that the “working age” population is decreasing. This large geographic area presents one of the challenges toward providing effective training and employment opportunities for Economic
Development. 

It has also been noted that there is an emphasis on “quality of life” in northern Michigan, which draws people to the Region. This quality of life factor is apparent in the choices made by people living in Northeast Michigan. It is well established fact that wages are typically lower in northern Michigan. There is a segment of the population that chooses to work seasonally. Often these individuals work extended hours during the spring, summer and early fall and plan to unemployed by hunting season and for the winter. 

Methodology 

This scan was developed by the Education Advisory Group (EAG) and Workforce Development Board (WDB) in cooperation with the K-12 districts, ISDs, Community Colleges, the community service agencies for the region and the local council of governments.The EAG met regularly throughout the process to review and comment on the data as it was gathered and compiled. 

In addition to general research and data collection of existing sources, (such as U.S. Census, Department of Labor Market Information, Department of Education, Department of Economic Development, etc.) local sources were contacted to verify data collected and supplement with data otherwise not readily available. Each of the K-12 districts was surveyed regarding educational programs, career preparation initiatives, career and technical education programs, as well as performance measures, such as skills assessment and standardized testing. The community colleges were surveyed regarding overall enrollment and graduation, as well as career and technical programs offered at each of the community colleges. The community colleges also provided information regarding the contractual training they offer under grants for EDJT/CDBG or customized training programs for specific businesses / industries. Adult education programs were surveyed regarding the level of participation, level of completion including number of people earning GED or high school diploma. 

Data regarding the state initiative programs such as WIA/JTPA, Employment Services, Michigan rehabilitation Services was collected directly from the agencies providing these services. 

Summary 

While the WDB and EAG support the priorities and success measures set forth in the Northeast Michigan Career Development System Report Card, it is also recognized that there are a number of variables across the region. The starting point for the 17 K-12 districts is quite diverse, and consequently some may need more time to achieve the given success measures than others or there may be unforeseen circumstances that prevent a particular district from meeting a specific success measure. The WDB and EAG view the initial priorities and success measures as a reasonable set of goals toward which to strive. These priorities will be taken back out to the communities for review, comment and revision as part of the consensus building and community outreach process. 

The process considered the strengths and identified the gaps to set in motion discussions among key decision-makers and stakeholders that will lead to greater collaboration in goal setting and achievement throughout the Region. 

It is the intent of the WDB and EAG to use this “Strategic Partnerships for Career Development” initiative as a springboard for economic development discussion and implementation throughout Northeast Michigan.