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Michigan Chamber urges more Going Pro funds and state action on childcare, housing and transit to address worker shortages
Summary
Wendy Block of the Michigan Chamber told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on March 19 that employers continue to report difficulty filling jobs and that state tools such as the Going Pro Talent Fund and the TriShare childcare pilot help but need scaling and additional funding and incentives.
Wendy Block, senior vice president of business advocacy for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity on March 19 that employers across Michigan are facing persistent workforce shortages and that state-funded tools can help but require expanded funding and better incentives.
Why it matters: Block said demographic trends (an aging population and long-term labor-force decline) and barriers such as lack of affordable childcare, workforce-attainable housing and transportation are limiting employers' ability to hire and retain workers. She urged lawmakers to consider scaling successful employer-facing programs and to remove regulatory barriers to housing and childcare development.
What the Chamber presented
- Labor market and demographic context: Block showed historical labor-force-participation declines in Michigan and noted the state ranks 32nd in labor-force participation; she emphasized that population aging and out-migration constrain the available worker pool.
- Childcare and TriShare: Block highlighted childcare as a top barrier. She described the TriShare pilot (employer pays one-third, employee one-third, state one-third) as a promising model that "has started to move the needle" but said it needs refinement, greater employer engagement, and better scalability. Block and committee members discussed raising eligibility limits and addressing benefits cliffs to boost participation.
- Going Pro Talent Fund: The Chamber described Going Pro as "the number 1 tool that the state has made available to employers" for upskilling. Block said the program is popular and effective but that demand exceeds available funding; she noted prior demand topped $100 million in some years and the average award is about $36,000.
- Housing and transportation: Block urged zoning and permitting reform to reduce barriers to workforce-attainable housing and suggested state incentives for employers to collaborate on childcare hubs and regional transit solutions.
Committee exchange and recommendations
Members asked Block where state policy could most quickly reduce hiring barriers. She recommended: target additional funding to proven employer-facing training programs (Going Pro); incentivize pooled employer investment in childcare hubs; pursue zoning and permitting reforms to unlock housing supply; and publish clearer ROI and program metrics so legislators can judge effectiveness.
No appropriations votes were taken during the Chamber's presentation; members thanked Block for recommendations and asked staff follow-ups on program scalability and TriShare eligibility.
