MFG Month Roundtable #1 | Attracting and Retaining the Right Talent

Employing a skilled workforce is more complex and challenging than ever before.

Our evolving environment has caused many manufacturers to revisit their talent acquisition strategies, adopting new methods for securing the talent they need to succeed.

In an August 28, 2020 article published in Industry Week, Ken Rusk shares that "A more immediate concern is that many skilled tradespeople are aging out of the labor force. Estimates indicate that for every skilled person entering the workforce, there are five who retire."

So many Michigan manufactures need talent to sustain and grow their business. In this roundtable discussion, manufacturers will hear about talent acquisition best practices from experts and other manufacturers. Retention best practices will also be discussed.

The discussion will be led by Lily Brewer, executive director of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties’ Michigan Works! branch in Benton Harbor. Brewer has served in the workforce development space for about 20 years. She oversees multiple programs at her Michigan Works! branch, including Benton Harbor YouthBuild, Region Eight Offender Success, Adult Education and the Michigan Works! Bridge Academy.

Panelists for this event:

Ellington Ellis, co-founder of Global Battery Solutions in Holland. Global Battery Solutions focuses on providing innovative technology and battery remanufacturing while sharing creative technologies with its customers to help increase its bottom line. Ellis is focused on innovating, developing and delivering better solutions.

Ken Flowers, dean of career and workforce education at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. Flowers has a 20-year background in the development and administration of academic programs, services and policies. His mission is to meet organizational and student needs and build dedicated teams focused on quality and service.

Sandra Gaddy, CEO of the Women’s Resource Center in Grand Rapids. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in finance and nonprofits, and brings extensive expertise in team development, strategic planning, forming collaborative partnerships and fundraising. Gaddy began her leadership of the Women’s Resource Center, an organization that empowers and educates women to achieve greater economic independence through meaningful employment, in March 2017.

Derek Knuth, director of offender services at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren counties. Knuth oversees the Offender Success Program that increases public safety by reducing the regional offender return-to-prison rate through an employment-focused plan of services and supervision. Under his leadership, the program has served over 2,700 returning citizens since 2017.