Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Suppoted by a $450,000 grant from the Mott Foundation, Michgan Governor Jennifer Granholm has announced a $1 million program to promote regional skills alliances. This initiative should be interesting to watch. For years, we have relied on a dysfunction Workforce Investment Act as a means to address training issues.
A wide range of initiatives on the local level suggest, however, that employer consortia, work skills certifications, flexible career pathways, and more flexible credit transfers work. We'll see if the Michigan initiative can successfully leverage these lessons. Learn more.
In another promising initiative, Michigan is moving to an on-line permitting system. The Michigan Timely Application and Permit Service will automate more than 32 different manufacturing-related permits and licenses.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Michigan pushes regional skills alliances
