LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Gretchen Whitmer administration has announced that Michigan is launching its largest-ever campaign to promote careers, recruit talent and attract new businesses to fill jobs in Michigan’s thriving semiconductor industry.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)’s new Semiconductor Talent Action Team will drive record-setting public-private semiconductor alliance with major Michigan employers, public universities and community colleges, mirroring the state’s EV/mobility student recruitment effort.

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Joined by Michigan education and business leaders along with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Solutions and Engagement Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist II outlined the plan to make Michigan a top state for talent solutions in the global semiconductor industry during a virtual press conference last Wednesday.

“Michigan is going all in to make it clear that our talented people make our state the best place to start and grow business in the semiconductor industry,” Gilchrist II said. “Michigan is a global leader and hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation, and we have grown our semiconductor industry footprint aggressively,” he said. “Let’s keep working together to bring advanced manufacturing and critical supply chains home as we create economic opportunity in every region and build a brighter future for Michigan.”

The MEDC’s Semiconductor Talent Action Team (TAT) is a collaborative, public/private partnership aimed at making Michigan a top state for semiconductor talent solutions and growth. The TAT will build on the Great Lakes State’s push to onshore critical supply chains of semiconductors back to Michigan, creating good-paying jobs and reducing delays and shortages. As Michigan seeks to support research and development and manufacturing facilities, an increase in supply of engineers and technicians will be critical to semiconductor success.

Michigan is among the first states in the nation with a consortium that has successfully identified key skills and competencies most-needed by employers to drive future microchip industry development, Ebersole Singh said.

“Michigan is leading the nation with an “all-hands-on-deck” consortium that has successfully identified key skills and competencies most needed by employers to drive future microchip industry development,” Ebersole Singh said. “That’s not just the Gov. Whitmer Administration or the MEDC saying that,” Ebersole Singh added. “That’s what we’re hearing from leaders of the semiconductor industry who are encouraged and excited by what Michigan is doing right now.”