**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** MANY MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS (MSFWS) SPEND YEARS, EVEN DECADES WORKING IN AGRICULTURE RELATED JOBS WITHOUT GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP ADVANCED SKILLS OR GETTING ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING COURSES AND CREDENTIALS. THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE SKILLS CAN MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO ENTER MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP ROLES, INCREASE JOB STABILITY AND SATISFACTION AND IMPROVE WAGES, BENEFITS AND THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR FAMILIES. THIS PROJECT WILL ASSIST MI FOOD GROWERS, PROCESSERS AND DISTRIBUTORS TO DEVELOP THE TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER SKILLS OF THEIR WORKFORCE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AS WELL AS JOB-BASED EXPERIENCES. THIS WILL INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF SKILLED WORKERS, AS WELL AS ENABLE GREATER WORK STABILITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.THE KEY TO SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PROMOTE, COMMUNICATE, AND FOSTER A CULTURE THAT IDENTIFIES THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF MSFWS, HELPING THEM CONNECT TO EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS MENTORING AND ON THE JOB TRAINING. IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT AIMS TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE THE SUPPORT SERVICES NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGE IN THESE ACTIVITIES, FOR EXAMPLE HOUSING, CHILDCARE AND BI-LINGUAL MATERIALS. THE PROJECT PARTNERS WILL WORK WITH EMPLOYERS TO IDENTIFY KEY SKILLS NEEDED AND CAREER PATHWAYS AVAILABLE. THEN THEY WILL WORK WITH EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROVIDERS AS WELL AS EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO CREDENTIAL BEARING COURSES, MENTORSHIPS, ON THE JOB TRAINING AND OTHER SKILL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. GIVEN THE TREMENDOUS SHORTAGE OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS WITH ADVANCED SKILLS IN MICHIGAN, THIS PROJECT FULFILLS AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC NEED.MICHIGAN IS THE SECOND MOST AGRICULTURALLY DIVERSE STATE IN THE NATION AND AGRICULTURE IS A LEADING SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY. GROWING, PRODUCING AND MANUFACTURING OF FOOD IN MICHIGAN REQUIRES A WIDE DIVERSITY OF JOB SKILLS INCLUDING MANY REQUIRING DIGITAL, MECHANICAL, LOGISTICAL, DATA-SAVVY AND OTHER CRITICAL SKILLS. ENSURING THAT THERE IS A STRONG TALENT POOL IN THIS CRITICAL AREA OF THE ECONOMY IS THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT.$431,299
· FY2021 · National Institute of Food and Agriculture