U.S. Labor Secretary Visits Portage Training Facility
U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer toured the Pro Academy skilled trades training facility in Portage Monday as part of a broader initiative to boost manufacturing and technical training across Michigan.
The visit came amid growing concerns about skilled labor shortages in the manufacturing sector. A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics study projects a loss of over one million job openings in skilled trades including construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and welding by the year 2030.
One million active apprentices was one of the very first executive orders the President said, recounted Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. Labor and business together and say there's enough of an economic pie that we don't have to compete with each other. We can actually grow that pie and everybody can have a good living. And so that's where my focus has been.
The Pro Academy offers a state-licensed apprenticeship program for Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Journeyman certification. The facility is operated by Pro Services Inc. and represents a growing trend in technical training throughout the Kalamazoo area.
Congressional Support for Workforce Development
West Michigan U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga invited Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to visit the training facility. His invitation comes as he works to connect local employers with skilled workers.
My family's in construction, Huizenga said. I'm seeing it, and I'm seeing the demand.
Huizenga noted that too many manufacturing jobs have left U.S. soil. He believes increasing enrollment in technical training can help address this challenge and bring manufacturing jobs back to the region.
The Secretary emphasized that the private sector will drive workforce development initiatives. She said her office consistently asks employers about their hiring needs, the speed of hiring, and how to best connect potential employees with job opportunities.
Broader Context of Skilled Trades Shortage
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the skilled trades shortage will continue to grow. Hundreds of thousands of new construction openings appear every year, creating significant demand for workers with technical skills.
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said Make American Skilled again matters. She believes the focus should be on increasing apprenticeship programs and technical training enrollment to meet this demand.
The visit highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing workforce challenges. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer's executive order targeting one million active apprentices represents a major federal commitment to skilled trades training.
Economic Growth Through Technical Training
The Pro Academy in Portage represents a model for technical workforce development that can be replicated across Southwest Michigan. The facility trains workers for high-demand industries including manufacturing, construction and maintenance.
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer's visit underscored the need for sustained investment in technical education and apprenticeship programs. The federal government's focus on skilled trades aligns with broader economic development goals for the region.
Sources
- U.S. Labor Secretary visits Kalamazoo-area skilled trades training facility - https://wwmt.com/news/local/us-labor-secretary-visits-kalamazoo-area-skilled-trades-training-facility