Michigan Regional Skills Alliance Overview

Governor Jennifer Granholm announced the Michigan Regional Skills Alliances (MiRSA) initiative in her State of the State address in January 2004. MiRSAs are employer driven organizations that address the workforce issues and needs within their local areas, organized by industry clusters.

The primary goals of the initiative are to provide Michigan businesses with a highly skilled workforce and connect Michigan citizens to good jobs with opportunities for career advancement.

Globalization of the economy, rapid evolution of technology, and changes in workforce demographics have affected businesses and workers across the state. Many businesses find it difficult to remain competitive in their industries. Both the Michigan Regional Skills Alliances and the No Worker Left Behind initiatives support employers and economic development needs by providing training to fill job vacancies in high demand fields that will bolster further economic growth.

MiRSA staff provides technical support to organizations researching the feasibility of forming a MiRSA as well as to new, existing and expanding MiRSAs. As of August 2007, thirty-four MiRSAs have been created with nine industry focuses. In support of the initiative, over $3.23 million in grant money has been awarded.

MiRSAs are:

• Employer led
• Industry-based
• Regionally focused
• Knowledge-driven
• Strategic workforce partnerships

For more information, see: http://www.michigan.gov/rsa and http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MiRSAVision_135968_7.pdf