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MICHauto and CAR: The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on the Automotive Talent Pipeline

August 27, 2020

Finding and retaining top talent is an ongoing challenge for the Michigan automotive and mobility industry. It is predicted that the COVID-19 global pandemic will add further disruption due to its impact on the talent pipeline. Approximately 25% of college students are reconsidering their enrollment plans this fall, while 40% of high school graduates, who had planned on attending a four-year college or university, are no longer expected to enroll at these institutions. Decreases in 2020 postsecondary enrollment is likely to impact the future talent pool for Michigan businesses.

MICHauto and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) presented a two-part, hour-long session discussing the industry’s perspective on this disruption and the State of Michigan’s workforce development response.

Part One: Industry Perspective on Talent Impact

Panelists:
Peter Hungerford, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ADAC Automotive Inc.
Eric James, Human Resources Director for the North America Business Unit, Marketing and Sales, Customer Experience, Ford Customer Service Division and Lincoln, Ford Motor Company
Renee McLeod, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Adient

Moderator:
Jerome Vaughn, News Director, 101.9 WDET

Part Two: Workforce Development Response

Panelists:
Susan Dynarski, Professor of Public Policy, Education and Economics, University of Michigan
Russ Kavalhuna, President, Henry Ford College
Dexter Sullivan, Program Manager, Michigan Mobility Institute

Moderator:
Jerome Vaughn, News Director, 101.9 WDET