Local News
(2008-09-05)
MARQUETTE, MI
(wnmu) -
State lawmakers and area business leaders met in Marquette Thursday night to discuss problems facing Michigan's employers. A panel of five U.P. business representatives talked about the difficulties they currently encounter. Cleveland Cliffs spokesman Dale Hemmila says around 400 employees have now achieved retirement status, and a planned expansion at the Empire Mine will create about 450 new jobs. He says CCI's main concern is where new workers will come from.
Hemmila says CCI needs employees who bring the skills they need to the job site. But many businesses are complaining the state's schools focus too much on attaining baccalaureate degrees which ignores youth who have more aptitude in construction trades. Michigan Superintendent of schools Mike Flanagan says that curriculum is changing. He says the focus has moved from courses to credit, which means, for example, teachers can decide to give a student enrolled in a construction trades course credit for algebra.
Education officials met with lawmakers and economic officials Friday during the 12th Annual U.P. Education Legislative Summit at Northern Michigan University.
© Copyright 2013, wnmu
