Michigan’s Workforce System—A Model for National Reform
When it comes to building flexible, innovative, and employer-driven workforce solutions, Michigan is setting the pace for the rest of the country. Our story proves that with strong sector partnerships, integrated service delivery, and effective use of existing federal and state resources, communities can transform job readiness and opportunity, without reinventing the system or relying on sweeping, disruptive reforms.
So when I read through the federal America’s Talent Strategy—filled with bold ideas about sector partnerships, employer-driven talent pipelines, AI reskilling, and outcome dashboards—I couldn’t help but smile. Not just because those proposals sound like the Michigan playbook, but because our Michigan Works! Agencies have been putting these ideas into action for years… all while keeping the system intact and stable. No need to “blow up” the system or swap it for smaller block grants—just a little Michigan muscle, smart governance, and teamwork.
Michigan’s Leadership: Results Within the Existing System
Michigan has long been recognized as a national leader in building sector-based, employer-driven partnerships—the very foundation of the federal America’s Talent Strategy. Our approach brings together business, education, and local workforce boards to design talent pipelines and career pathways for advanced manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and mobility sectors. Importantly, these efforts are powered by effective use of WIOA, Wagner-Peyser, and other federal and state programs, not dependent on shifting to block grants or radical system overhauls.
Our One-Stop centers and digital platforms provide streamlined, user-friendly access for job seekers and employers, integrating intake and navigation across multiple funding streams.
Michigan ranks among the top states for Registered Apprenticeship growth, with strong employer engagement in designing and delivering apprenticeship and career readiness programs.
Performance and accountability are central: transparent dashboards, pay-for-performance contracts, and data-driven metrics ensure that outcomes—job placement, earnings, and ROI—guide investment and continuous improvement.
Addressing Challenges and Scaling Innovation
Michigan’s experience affirms a key point shared by Brad Turner-Little, CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards:
“Workforce boards have been at the forefront of this work for decades—aligning training with employer demand, fostering innovation, and delivering results for both workers and businesses… Much of this vision for the future requires adequately resourcing the public workforce system… Many of the challenges identified in this strategy document are attributable to an erosion of federal investments in initiatives that we know work for both jobseekers and employers alike. We look forward to partnering with the Administration to strengthen and build upon these efforts and ensure Congress provides the robust support needed to sustain and expand them through upcoming appropriations and authorization negotiations.”
Michigan Works! couldn’t agree more. Federal investments matter. If Congress wants to see these bold reforms take hold across America, it starts with adequate, sustained funding for what works. Hint: Michigan-style integration and innovation.
Flexibility, Innovation, and Outcomes
Michigan is committed to adapting for the future of work, including piloting AI literacy and rapid-reskilling initiatives, expanding outreach to disconnected workers, and ensuring our service models remain agile and responsive. Our policy approach proves that:
Continuous improvement and measurable innovation are scalable within existing program structures and funding streams.
Reform does not require dismantling the foundation—optimizing and resourcing it unlocks new possibilities.
Michigan Works! is ready to serve as a model, resource, and partner for states and federal agencies seeking to raise performance, integrate services, and build employer-driven systems.
Looking Ahead
As debates on federal workforce reform unfold, Michigan Works! will advocate for:
Sufficient federal investment to make proven solutions widely available.
National policy that encourages local flexibility and builds on established best practices.
Recognition that America already has the tools to align training with employer demand, if leaders choose to sustain and support them.
Michigan’s story proves that the future of workforce development is not theoretical—it’s happening here, every day. We coordinate funding streams, cut the silos, and skip the drama. No need to play legislative Jenga with block grants to get results; we’ve got the blueprint.