One of the biggest challenges facing veterans is simply finding a job.

This Veterans Day, Americans will take time to honor those who served and fought, but it’s also important to remember the difficulty these men and women face in making the transition into civilian life and the workforce.

In 2013, the rate of unemployed veterans in Michigan was 10.6 percent, making it the second highest in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Photo Courtesy of the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, or MVAA, is one of the many organizations working to change that. The MVAA provides assistance to members of the military in making the transition from serving to the civilian world. The resources include tips and tools on applying for jobs and a veteran-friendly employer program to recognize the efforts of companies that hire and retain veterans in their workforce.

To date, the MVAA’s program designed to recognize veteran-friendly employers has certified 37 companies. With increased commitment to supporting veteran talent in the workforce, a certified company can earn a bronze, silver or gold status.

To earn a gold status, a company had to retain at least 75 percent of the veterans hired in the past year, create a veteran support network within the internal organization, implement a veteran hiring rotational program or leadership development program and share best practices with other organizations. Of the 37 that have been certified, three employers – General Motors Co., Quicken Loans Inc. and Whirlpool Corp. – have reached Gold Level Status.

The agency is also active in reaching out to potential employers to explain the benefits of hiring veterans and sharing information about the value veterans bring to a workforce through their skills and experience.

Aside from the MVAA, other organizations are dedicated to helping Michigan veterans. Here are a few of those outlets with links for more information:

• Veterans’ Employment Services

Part of Pure Michigan Talent Connect, Veterans’ Employment Services provides assistance that is targeted specifically to the veteran population. The program is an integrated partner with Michigan Works! Agency.

• Michigan Works! Association

The Michigan Works! Association has 16 agencies that oversee local Michigan Works! Service Centers where job seekers and employers can access services. Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association was created to give services and support to the state’s workforce development program.

• Hire Heroes USA

With a national reputation for helping veterans find employment, Hire Heroes USA has a success rate of helping more than 60 veterans a week find employment.

• Helmets to Hardhats

A national nonprofit program, Helmets to Hardhats connects retired and transitioning active-duty military service members with training and career opportunities in the construction industry.

• Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit

With its Operation Good Jobs, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit places a focus on ending the barriers between veterans and employment. In the past year, the program has helped more than 100 veterans and family members find jobs or access veteran car services and entitled benefits.

Related:  Check out how a Veteran-turned-teacher in Michigan is using underwater robotics to search for missing servicemen.

Tamisha Banks says she’s just at a very early stage of her career and education, but knows in three years she’ll have valuable experience, no student loans and a job.

“I just think this should be the way most programs are structured,” said Banks, a Detroit resident who divides her time between Macomb Community College classes and a technical product design apprenticeship through MAT². “It allows us to have that work experience from very early on.”

Banks, and thousands of others, are taking advantage of a career opportunity that puts them on a path to working in skilled trades with the ability to earn a good wage in fields that are in high demand and in need of young talent.

Today, apprenticeships are being promoted as a viable career option to young people as the labor force in the United States faces the challenge of finding qualified employees to fill the place of retiring baby boomers. As part of this effort, apprentice opportunities are taking center stage for the first National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 1-7. The national celebration was created by the U.S. Department of Labor to push for more apprenticeship programs and expand the talent pipeline for industries across the nation. By participating in the week, employers, industry associations, labor unions, educational institutions and other partners can show their support for developing apprenticeship programs aimed at youth.

“The concept of an apprenticeship for a high-wage, high-skill job has been around for more than 75 years,” said Russell Davis, director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship in Michigan. “It’s truly earn while you learn, meaning once you start a registered  apprenticeship, you’re working for an employer,  you’re going to school and you get a progressive wage increase and most end up with no student debt.”

Nationally, the number of available apprenticeships has increased from 375,000 in 2013 to 430,000 today. However, the U.S. is still behind many other countries, including Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Labor officials say it’s critical for this to change, citing that nearly 30 percent of all jobs by 2020 will require a post-secondary degree credential and an impending shortfall of nearly 3 million Americans lacking the educational requirements to fill these positions.

This dilemma is of high importance in Michigan, home to the North American auto industry and a state that has deep ties to skilled labor. Manufacturing was a key component to the state’s economic recovery following the global downturn. Since the summer of 2009, 157,000 manufacturing jobs were created in Michigan, which has led the nation in manufacturing growth for the last five years.

“These jobs aren’t going away,” Davis said. “In fact, it’s the exact opposite because there are occupations we haven’t even identified yet. We have 987 occupations that we have a registered apprenticeship for and we’re continuing to add to that list.”

West Michigan Works!, offering employment services to the west side of the state, is experiencing a huge demand from employers to support apprenticeship programs to fill a variety of positions, said Deb Lyzenga, regional director, business solutions for West Michigan Works!.

The agency recently worked with three community colleges and three major hospitals in the region for 45 medical assistant registered apprenticeships that will begin in January 2016. More than 100 candidates have applied to enroll in the program.

Apprenticeship programs are a proven way to train people for work without hampering them, sometimes for decades, with student loan debt, Lyzenga added.

“We just see this as a win for the employer and the worker,” she said.

A statewide initiative aimed at filling the skills gap is the Michigan Advanced Technician Training Program, or MAT², program. Launched in 2013, MAT² was created by the State of Michigan in cooperation with the state’s leaders in global manufacturing and technology.  It operates similar to an apprenticeship program by giving students a chance to alternate between classroom instruction that is paid for and on-the-job training with their employer. This provides students with the hands-on skills and real-world experience they need to build a successful career.

While there are stereotypes and myths about long hours and filthy conditions surrounding the work being performed in these careers, the reality is youth who complete a registered apprenticeship program are placed into high-paying, well-respected careers, according to state labor officials. Nationally, apprentices on average earn more than $50,000 upon completing a program. Data has also shown these individuals have had their compensation increased by an estimated $300,000 through their lifetime.

Going to school and then applying those lessons to the workplace is an efficient way to learn, said Banks, who is a student in the MAT² program and will be employed as a mechanical designer when she graduates.

“We don’t have to wait four years and then get an internship,” she said. “We have to apply everything we learn to our job. I think it’s a valuable opportunity and as soon as we graduate, we have three years of work experience, which is what most employers ask for.”

Aside from the benefits to students of being involved in apprenticeship programs like MAT², the value to employers offering apprenticeships is being promoted across the nation.

Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency, which is under the state’sTalent Investment Agency, has been placing a focus on promoting apprenticeship programs to business owners and managers of different industries.

According to the agency, successful companies recognize employees as a valuable asset and investments in training can give an advantage in even the most competitive environments. The agency also reports that businesses can experience a higher level of productivity, retain talent at a higher rate and produce a higher quality product or service because employees are more likely to take pride in their work.

The North American corporate office for FTE Automotive USA in Auburn Hills offers apprenticeships to students and Harold Snyder said it’s been a benefit to them, as well as the full-time employees.

“The bottom line is we are in a technical environment and we have an aging workforce and need to attract young, talented individuals that have an interest in skilled trade fields,” said Snyder, who works as a test lab supervisor for FTE Automotive USA.  “We’re looking to foster staff for the future and pass on the experience that some of our senior technical staff has from the job site.”

The youthful apprentices also bring vitality to the workplace, invigorating senior staff, many of whom have really taken to the roll of mentor, Snyder said.

“The relationships they’ve formed have been very positive and that goes for both sides of the equation,” he said.

To learn more about National Apprenticeship Week, visit www.doleta.gove/oa/naw.

For more information about MAT², go to www.mitalent.org/mat2.

The idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover” is a tired phase in the English language but that doesn’t make it false, especially when it comes to the skills and talent needed to work in manufacturing.

Common misperceptions about what manufacturing is have created a public image that is significantly different from reality. It’s this gap between false ideas and truth that sparked the creation of Manufacturing Day, celebrating what modern manufacturing is and inspiring the industry’s next generation. Events at manufacturing facilities will be held on Oct. 2 across the United States to commemorate the day.

Put together by the National Manufacturing Association and multiple national professional groups associated with the industry, the day is designed to give a voice for individual manufacturers, allowing the companies to feel empowered and come together to address collective challenges.

In Michigan, events are planned in 88 different locations, from Traverse City to Dearborn.

As the home to North America’s auto industry and a key player in the manufacturing industry, Michigan is a stakeholder in the global economy. The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA), representing nearly 2,500 companies in the largest sector of the state’s economy, reports more than 598,000 Michiganders are employed in manufacturing.

There is a stereotype when it comes to a career in skilled trades.

The perception is that people who pursue a skilled trades career have no interest in earning a degree beyond high school and spend their workday getting disgustingly dirty in a hot factory.

These stereotypes are simply not true!

Today, skilled trade occupations are positions that require a strong-level of technical knowhow and experience. These individuals must also complete work-based learning programs and many of the careers also require a certificate of completion, apprenticeship or an associate’s degree.

Skilled trades careers are also a vital component of Michigan’s economy. Industries like tool and die, health care, construction and welding are looking for talented and educated people to fill the gap left by today’s aging skilled trades workforce that is looking to retirement. Many of these positions offer competitive pay and benefits, with an average wage of $13 – $34 an hour and the median wage at $21 an hour.

With the state recognizing the need to overcome the preconceived notions people may have about skilled trades careers, Governor Rick Snyder, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Talent Investment Agency formed a partnership with television’s Mike Rowe and his foundation, mikeroweWorks. Rowe, the wise-cracking everyman from “Dirty Jobs,” worked to produce videos targeting middle and high school students to showcase skilled trades careers as sustainable, good career paths.

In addition, a partnership was formed with Tom Daldin, host of Under the Radar Michigan, to produce five videos geared toward K-5 students.  These videos will inspire children as they think about what they want to do when they grow up by highlighting employees and jobs in the following industries:

•Food, agriculture and natural resources

•Manufacturing

•Healthcare

•Design and art

•Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and information technology

“The skilled trades are a great pathway to meaningful, rewarding careers with room for advancement,” said Stephanie Comai, director of the Michigan Talent Investment Agency. “As the demand for people with technical skills continues to surge, we want students of all ages to be aware of their career options. We’re excited about this campaign and will continue to enhance it with additional resources so that students, parents and educators have the information they need regarding opportunities available in today’s skilled trades.”

Meanwhile, under the umbrella of the Michigan Department of Education, the Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE) is working at the county level to promote the return on investment students get from skilled trades careers.

The local OCTE programs are tailored to match that region’s needs, employer participation and available resources. The local directors assigned to the programs are in charge of promoting these opportunities to students, as well as parents.

Aside from the local directors, the Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA), local school counselors and teachers play an important part in extending students opportunities to talk with employers and begin instructional programs at the high school or local career technical area center. The OCTE is also supporting the MSCA’s fall conference by providing breakout sessions to discuss career and college readiness opportunities.

The OCTE also honors young women who get involved in skilled trades programs as many of these career paths tend to be male dominated fields. Local programs are also recognized for instituting innovative programming that promotes skilled trades as profitable and fulfilling career choices.

Kami Moore, a student at Reeths-Puffer High School interested in Machining and Engineering. Photo courtesy of the Michigan Department of Education.

Michigan cannot truly be competitive in today’s global economy without the support of people in skilled trades careers. If you’re a parent of a child thinking about entering the skilled trades, or a student who is interested in learning more, we encourage you to look at your school’s course catalog for OCTE programming and talk to your counselor or teachers.

Interested in learning more? Click here for more information about skilled trades!

Did you know purchasing products from local retailers could add $9 billion more to Michigan’s economy annually? Below, James Hallan, president and CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association, tells us about the impact of shopping in Michigan and how the Buy Nearby campaign encourages the entire state of Michigan to get involved on Get Caught Blue-Handed Day and every day.

As we head into fall, with its hard-fought football rivalries, fresh-pressed cider and the beauty of turning leaves, it’s easy to relish all the ways that Michigan is a special place to all of us.

One way to show our appreciation for all that Michigan offers is to make our purchases from retailers in Michigan, near where we live, work, vacation or visit. The Michigan Retailers Association encourages shoppers to do this year-round through our Buy Nearby campaign, an ongoing, feel-good campaign intended to create excitement about the great shopping in Michigan and the advantages of supporting retailers and communities in Michigan.

MRA also has set aside a special day, Get Caught Blue-Handed Day, which gives shoppers a chance to get special deals when they shop at Michigan retailers on the first Saturday in October each year. This year we’re celebrating Get Caught Blue-Handed Day on Saturday, Oct. 3. Whether you’re picking up a new outfit, looking for a made-in-Michigan product or buying a gift for a friend, spending your money at a local retailer means you’re investing in your community and the state’s economy.

Get Caught Blue-Handed Day is just one of the ways the Buy Nearby campaign encourages shoppers to keep in mind the economic benefits of buying nearby. More than 866,000 Michigan jobs are directly dependent on retail sales, jobs that are held by our neighbors, friends and family members. Michigan Department of Treasury figures show that retail trade accounted for $93.7 billion in economic activity in Michigan in fiscal year 2014, not counting food and drug purchases. That figure has plenty of room to grow if state residents consistently buy nearby rather than from online, out-of-state retailers that have no presence in Michigan.

You’re watching a video that shows miles of beautiful, sandy beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes and the deep blue waters of Lake Michigan. Curious about what is nearby, you want to begin planning your own relaxing getaway.

Rather than leave the video playing to open a separate page to search, you can now simply click or tap the items in the video, thanks to a Michigan tech startup.

Based in Birmingham, Mich., Clicktivated Video Inc. allows online video viewers to access more information about what they’re watching by simply tapping on an item in a video. A thumbnail will appear next to the video player, offering more information.

Co-founder and CEO Chris Roebuck started the company two years ago with his father Joe, an experienced entrepreneur. Joe started his first company in 1970 and has since created and sold four more startups to Fortune 500 companies.

“We realized there was a gap in the marketplace: how does a viewer get more information about a video they’re watching?” Roebuck said. “Screens are interactive now, but video has stayed the same.”

According to eMarketer, an independent research company that focuses on trends in digital marketing, spending on digital advertisements will reach $58.6 billion in 2015. In short, this is no small market.

In the two years since inception, Clicktivated has grown steadily. First with developing a national client base in the retail and travel industries, and then expanding globally within the past six months. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Bohemian Guitars, and the Home Shopping Network are all clients.

The most recent addition to their client list is the Pure Michigan campaign, which, through Clicktivated, offers viewers more information about travel opportunities in the state through 10 Pure Michigan commercials. When a scene of interest plays, a viewer can click on that location. An icon will appear alongside the video, offering the viewer access to external links with more information specific to what they clicked on in the video.

With roots in the Motor City, Roebuck said Clicktivated is proof that impactful technology is being created here in the Midwest.

“Michigan has a ton of technical talent. There is a lot more innovation happening here than what is being discussed,” he said

As CEO, David Ely sees a great opportunity in China for Energy Design Service Systems.

The Whitmore Lake-based company is a national authority on commercial lighting and energy efficiency, providing customers with unique lighting designs and energy conservation measures that prove savings can be obtained through more environmentally-friendly operations in commercial buildings.

“China is growing fast,” he said. “I think the experience of business leaders, like myself, shows that if you can bring a higher quality product or service to their market, then why not because there is so much potential there.”

Ely is among a group of Michigan business leaders that was selected to take part in a trade mission to China, meeting with prospective partners, distributors and buyers. Led by Governor Snyder and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s International Trade Office, the mission aimed to increase export opportunities from Michigan to China.

The International Trade Office was established to assist in growing export opportunities to Michigan companies and help establish connections to explore new markets, access to existing export resources and increase global competitiveness. This was the seventh export mission set up through the office. Other missions have taken place in the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Canada and Eastern Africa.

Year to date, there has been $242.7 million in export sales for Michigan companies as a result of the involvement of the International Trade Office, topping the  2014 total sales of $229.7 million.

China accounts for $61 million in year-to-date export sales and possesses 34 new market entries for Michigan companies. There is a tremendous opportunity for Michigan businesses as it is considered the third largest market for goods from the United States, following Canada and Mexico.

In 2014, Michigan exported more than $3.4 billion goods to China and was ranked 10^th in the U.S. for exports to China. Since 2000, the state’s number of exports to the country has grown by more than 1,500 percent. Compared to the rest of the world, Michigan’s exports only grew by 56.2 percent during that same time period.

The top Michigan exports to China include transportation equipment, chemicals, machinery and computer and electronics products. Michigan also exports food and agricultural products.

For this trip, delegates attended business matchmaking events in the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Guangzhou. These events included customized appointments with prospective partners, distributors and buyers for each region.

“The operational differences between the United States and China will likely mean slow growth as companies get acclimated to China’s economic environment”, said Ely adding that “getting started with this trade mission will allow us time to cultivate our business operations.”

Their current business plan is to establish an office in China while expanding their operations in Michigan to support their international branch.

As a company that specializes in commercial lighting with a focus on using more energy efficient designs and technology, Ely said they see an opportunity to grow as well as utilize their talents to reduce pollution through commercial energy efficiency. The Chinese government has been focusing on air quality as of late, developing plans to curb the air pollution and reduce the concentration of particulate matters being expelled into the air. This has meant a reexamination of vehicle use, construction industry and the burning of coal.

“I’ve been doing lighting and energy redesign projects in the U.S. for over 30 years,” he said. “My goal is to be the company to go to for these services in China.”

Another company involved with the trade mission and seeing a chance to leverage its services as a result of the Chinese attempting to reduce air pollution is Hybrid Design Services in Troy.

Specializing in engineering services for hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as advanced battery systems, this is the second trade mission the company has been involved in.

“As a small company, it’s hard for us to have a marketing arm in China and reach these companies and create contacts and meet face to face,” said Firdevs Arikan, operations manager for Hybrid Design Services. “These trade missions provide an opportunity to have access to an opportunity that might not otherwise come along.”

During the first trade mission, officials from Hybrid Design Services were able to come away with a stronger knowledge of what Chinese customers are looking for and how business is conducted in communist society with market economics.

“This time we feel more empowered and are looking to secure some contracts,” Arikan said. “The first time, it was more about understanding the customers so we can actually start working to provide our services.”

Compared to the U.S., the market for electric and hybrid vehicle technology is growing at a faster rate, she said, adding the Chinese government is also offering large incentives for companies that provide clean energy services and products because of the environmental concerns.

“They are really pushing hard on electric and hybrid vehicles,” Arikan said. “They also don’t have the expertise and technology so they are trying to learn from American companies about how to design high voltage battery packs or how to design these vehicles.”

For more information on MEDC’s International Trade Office and programs, visit http://www.michiganbusiness.org/grow/export-assistance/

Deanna Richeson is the Director of International Trade Programs for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Deanna leads the collaboration with strategic partners in a statewide effort to increase awareness of export opportunities and direct companies to appropriate export assistance resources.

The state’s ideal location and wealth of supply chains has developed it into a hub for logistics.

Home to the city that introduced the assembly line and redefined global mobility, Michigan knows a thing or two about creating a seamless supply chain to produce and distribute cars and other appliances around the world at the necessary rate and quality. The tradition of the Big Three auto manufacturers continues today, and the state of Michigan is experiencing significant growth in the market for automotive production, which IHS Automotive projects to reach 17.5 million units by 2017.

For many companies in these industries, an efficient and effective supply chain is crucial to sustainability; a company with flaws in its supply chain is bound face issues in its attempts to scale internationally. Manufacturers value technologies that help streamline the supply chain and bring dependable products to the market faster than their competitors. As a result, seamless production makes all the difference for manufacturing companies when it comes to offering superior customer service and maximizing revenue. Fortunately, Michigan also has some of the most innovative breakthroughs in technology to improve supply chain efficiency and support its impressive lineup of automotive and manufacturing powerhouses.

One of Michigan’s chief logistics startups is Plex Systems, which has created enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that can detect –and react proactively—if a piece of equipment in the supply chain malfunctions. Automating this process has allowed the growing Detroit-area company to attract the services of manufacturers nationwide, including in Silicon Valley.

With the busiest border crossing in North America and one of the largest U.S. air hubs to Asia, Michigan is a natural a center for logistics technologies and is in an ideal geographical position for the international export industry. In addition to its proximity, the state’s low startup costs and wealth of entrepreneurial resources create a fertile birthplace for logistics startups that feed into the region’s manufacturing corporations.

BEET has created an automation system to make the manufacturing process more efficient from its headquarters in Plymouth. Its smart manufacturing technology brings predictive maintenance to the supply chain, allowing manufacturers to identify issues before they occur. In the same field, Ann Arbor startup Llamasoft also analyses the supply chain to help organizations across the globe design and optimize their operations to help manufacturers reduce cost and risk.

Furthermore, the state-funded “Scholarships for Unique Supply Chain Management Program” offers scholarships to automotive companies with limited training budgets to help them achieve certification for vehicle manufacturing and purchasing.

The long list of manufacturers in Michigan makes the state an ideal place for logistics innovators to set up shop in order to capitalize on the demand for a smooth supply chain. With an ideal location, in-state support and a growing portfolio of successful startups, Michigan has solidified itself as the home to one of the nation’s most innovative hubs for logistics companies.

Currently, there are more than 95,000 jobs available on MiTalent.org, the state of Michigan’s official labor exchange system. Many of these jobs are tied to Michigan’s booming automotive and STEM industries.

Looking to highlight the recent launch of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) automotive talent campaign, We Run on Brainpower, and promote automotive opportunities in Michigan, Pure Michigan Talent Connect recently hosted its third statewide #MiJobChat Twitter Chat.

On August 17^th featured chat partners, the Center for Automotive Research, MichAuto, General Motors, Faurecia North America, South Central Michigan Works!, and Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science took to twitter to address industry perceptions and raise awareness of Michigan’s diverse automotive employment and training opportunities.

“From education to employment, Michigan has a wealth of opportunity for those interested in continuing or starting a career in advanced manufacturing, information technology and STEM fields. This recent #MiJobChat highlighted many of those, shedding light on some little known facts, industry myths, as well as providing future industry insights,” stated Andrew Belanger, Project Manager of Talent Resources and Social Media Manager for MiTalent.org from the MEDC. “We had some great featured partners drive this month’s conversation, with many more joining the chat.”

If you weren’t able to join the #MiJobChat, check out these 21 highlights:

Q1: What are a few things about Michigan’s automotive industry that the average person would not know?

“63 of the top 100 suppliers to the North American auto industry have global or North American headquarters in Michigan.” – MICHauto

“The highest concentration of engineers, designers, IT & innovators reside in Michigan: http://ow.ly/R07nB” – General Motors

“Michigan is #1 in US in auto and parts jobs, vehicle and engine production, vehicle and parts exports and new investment money.” – Center for Automotive Research

“The auto industry is changing, employing more women & minorities. These numbers are expected to grow.” – Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS)

Q2: What do you think is the biggest MYTH about Michigan’s automotive industry? Why is the MYTH not true?

“Biggest myth about auto industry in Michigan is that it is not a growth industry. It IS growth, global and high tech.” –  MICHauto

“It’s dirty, antiquated, not high tech.” <– Couldn’t be FARTHER from the truth! We’re innovating and POWERING the future! – American Axel Manufacturing

“Myth- Automotive careers don’t pay well. Truth- Average Michigan earnings per job are above the nation’s average!” – South Central Michigan Works!

Q3: What are some things your organization is doing to support Michigan’s diverse automotive industry?

“Visit www.WeRunOnBrainpower.org to see how we’re raising awareness of high-tech careers in the auto industry.” – Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

“We collaborate with employers to make sure job seekers pursue in demand automotive careers.” – Oak Park Michigan Works!

“We’re working with some Michigan companies to help with automotive marketing into UK, Europe and globally.” – CBM Automotive Marketing (Silverstone, United Kingdom)

Q4: If one is interested in starting an automotive career in Michigan what would you recommend as next steps?

“Do your research to better understand the automotive industry. You’ll be glad you did!” – South Central Michigan Works!

“Get a solid core education that will open up many opportunities and provide flexibility within auto and other industries” à “Employers look for hands-on experience. Look for co-op, internship and extracurricular activities to build your resume.”  - Center for Automotive Research

Q5: What advice would you give to students/parents as they explore a possible career in the auto industry?

“Explore, inquire, investigate, network, interview. Use all the great resources to check out automotive careers!” – Laura Robb à “Research automotive companies and build your network. This can be done on social media, online or attending career events!” – Faurecia North America

“Younger students should focus on STEM. Do well in math, do well in science.” – Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS)

“Soft skills are becoming a very important must have!” – General Motors à “Check out our 14 eLearning Soft Skills training modules at: www.mitalent.org/elearning-soft-skills-program/” – Pure Michigan Talent Connect

Q6: With Michigan leading the way, what do you think the future holds for the industry, the state?

“The future is bright for OUR auto/mobility industries & those that want to work, live and play in Pure Michigan.” – MICHauto à “We agree! Michigan is a beautiful place to live, work and play! Follow MiTalentOrg for jobs in Pure Michigan.” – Pure Michigan

“Developments, like University of Michigan’s City, and the increasing need for auto talent are a sign of great things to come to the state!” – Faurecia North America à “Check out MCity in Ann Arbor as a shining example: http://bit.ly/1Oy2SvW.” – Michigan Talent Investment Agency

“Michigan ranks #1 with auto-related jobs in the U.S., and with continued development, those numbers are expected to grow.” – Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS)

Q7: What’s the most important take-a-way you want people to know about automotive opportunities in #Michigan?

“There are numerous automotive opportunities and many paths for career growth.” à “A career in our industry is a great way to challenge yourself and be on the leading edge of an industry in transformation.” – General Motors

“The most successful people have a true passion for the industry. It’s not just a job. It’s a career.” – American Axel Manufacturing

“The auto industry has diverse opportunities available for talented people who want to be a part of something big!” – Faurecia North America

If you are interested in seeing all of the comments from the recent Twitter Chat search the hash tag #MiJobChat on Twitter.

Be sure to follow Pure Michigan Talent Connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for talent news, updates and to learn about future #MiJobChat events. To learn more about the MEDC’s We Run on Brainpower campaign visit: http://www.michiganbusiness.org/brainpower/

MiTalent.org is your launch pad for new jobs, careers, and talent.  It is an online marketplace connecting Michigan’s job seekers and employers, and serves as a central hub linking all public and private stakeholders who support Michigan’s workforce.

Supply chain and logistics are essential to our economy. Every company and every job in Michigan is affected by the supply chain. Michigan provides a collaborative, business focused logistics and supply chain ecosystem that lowers cost, reduces time, removes risk and promotes job creation to support the movement of freight across the state and around the world.

Whether you are looking to get into this exciting field or have been in it for years, there is one conference industry professionals cannot miss. The Michigan Supply Chain Innovation Summit is a vital networking and learning opportunity.

This not-to-be-missed event is the Michigan Supply Chain Innovation Summit, August 30 – 31, 2015, in Dearborn, Michigan, especially for business leaders looking for insights into the logistics and supply chain innovations beyond the horizon of current best practices.  Topics will include complexity management, talent development and leadership, omni-channel supply chain integration, and much more.

The program content for the Michigan Supply Chain Innovation Summit was being shaped with the help of David Closs, PhD, professor and chairperson of Michigan State University’s top-ranked supply chain management program.  As one of the world’s foremost experts in supply chain management, Dr. Closs works with students, companies and other industry leaders in understanding how to improve supply chain efficiency by minimizing operational costs, and by mitigating risk associated with economic uncertainty in a dynamic, global business environment.

As Dr. Closs says, “Supply chain is more than just a buzzword.  It is a way of making business work better.”

Mark your calendars now for two conferences where you will learn insights into supply chain innovation and best practices, and meet thought-leaders in Michigan’s logistics and supply chain community.

Peter Anastor, Managing Director, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Peter Anastor is the Managing Director, Logistics, Supply Chain and Manufacturing for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In this position, Peter is responsible for implementing Michigan’s Logistics and Supply Chain Strategic Plan and for developing program and policies that will leverage Michigan’s supply chain assets for jobs and investment.