Lansing - Michigan's future workforce needs to concentrate more on mental strength rather than physical strength, according to Lt. Gov. John Cherry Jr., chairman of the newly-formed Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth.
His commission addressed the need on July 14 to double the number of residents with post-secondary degrees in the next 10 years in order for Michigan to adequately compete in the marketplace. According to the commission, the state ranks 34th nationally, with around 22 percent of the adult population who've graduated from college.
The changing economy consists of more technology-driven and knowledge-based jobs, many of which require some sort of education beyond a high school diploma, whether it be a bachelor's degree or vocational training, Cherry said.
"The 20th century job providers demanded brawn," he said. "The 21st century job providers demand brains."
Appointed commissioners included business, government and education officials from all over the state. The commission broke up into four groups, each with a different focus: maximizing economic benefits, increasing degree completion, improving preparation and expanding participation.
Sub-groups met on their own time throughout the summer to come up with objectives and possible solutions to problems concerning its main focus.
The entire commission will reconvene in mid-September to begin statewide public hearings, which will last for about a month.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the connection among the groups exist in making Michigan residents more marketable to employers and improving the quality of life. The link between higher education and the economy is inexplicable.
"No doubt in my mind that if we are successful in doubling our output - the number of people in Michigan who have degrees past high school - that could be a key link to making Michigan a global economic powerhouse," she said.
"We want to make sure Michigan is able to compete, not just with other states, but with other countries around the world."
As a member of the sub-group focusing on expanding participation, MSU Provost and President-designate Lou Anna Simon said the first commission meeting on July 14 alluded to many aspects she has already considered with working at the university.
Simon said the meeting was a major step toward improving higher education.
"It's all very consistent to some of the founding ideas of a land grant university system like MSU," Simon said. "We're worrying about participation as well as economic competition and quality of life."
