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Building the Future Workforce through Meaningful Exploration

by | Aug 27, 2025

Summary

SEMCOG spotlights how employer-education partnerships and hands-on exploration—exemplified by Detroit’s 16-week Workforce of the Future program—equip students with credentials and soft skills while strengthening Southeast Michigan’s talent pipeline.

Career exposure, exploration, and preparation are all essential elements of building the workforce of the future. Effective programs focus on creating awareness and hands-on experiences, which can help individuals decide that a particular career is what they are looking for – or a speed up a realization that it is not for them.

Career exploration programs require investment by employers, workforce development, and education partners. Limited resources and time are obstacles, but without these programs we are more likely to see young people entering careers that may not be right for their interests, passions, and skills. Early exploration encourages more direct pathways to success and is a worthwhile investment for all stakeholders in our economy.

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South East Michigan Council of Governments

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) supports local planning through its technical, data, and intergovernmental resources. The work SEMCOG does improves the quality of the region's water, makes the transportation system safer and more efficient, revitalizes communities, and spurs economic development.

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The skilled labor shortage has long haunted manufacturers, threatening productivity and growth. Now, a groundbreaking initiative from Macomb Community College and the U.S. Navy is tackling this challenge head-on, offering free tuition to anyone eager to master the manufacturing trade. To explore the impact firsthand, Automation Alley went behind the scenes at Macomb’s MTEC program, speaking with instructors and students who are shaping the future of the defense industry and manufacturing.