Michigan Leaders Highlight Automotive, Maritime, and Workforce Trends at MAGMA Advisory Council  Meeting

Industry, government, and workforce leaders convened for a recent MAGMA Advisory Council meeting on March 20, 2026 to discuss key trends shaping Michigan’s automotive and maritime sectors, with a strong focus on investment patterns, workforce needs, and opportunities for collaboration at both the state and national levels.

Automotive Investment and Workforce Shifts
Dr. Lisa Krusemark of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) opened the session with an overview of automotive industry investment trends across North America. She highlighted continued growth in capital investments, driven in part by federal policies such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and emphasized Michigan’s leadership in securing both automaker and supplier investments, particularly in electrification and battery technologies.

Krusemark noted that Michigan continues to lead the nation in job announcements tied to these investments, with a growing share connected to electric and hybrid vehicle production. However, she also shared insights from a recent statewide workforce needs assessment, conducted in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and other partners, which identified persistent hiring challenges and critical skills gaps.

Employers are increasingly seeking talent with skills in automation, robotics, advanced software, and production equipment testing, alongside essential soft skills such as communication and problem-solving. Rather than creating entirely new roles, many companies are prioritizing upskilling current workers and building more flexible, interdisciplinary teams to adapt to ongoing industry changes. Click here to review Dr. Krusemark's slide deck. 

Advancing Michigan’s Maritime Strategy
Simon Bélisle from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), presented an overview of Michigan’s newly developed Maritime Strategy, underscoring the sector’s significant economic impact and its role in supporting thousands of jobs statewide.

Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, including input from more than 130 participants, the strategy outlines six key priorities: modernizing port and intermodal infrastructure, growing maritime manufacturing, accelerating clean energy adoption, strengthening workforce development, fostering innovation, and revitalizing recreational harbors.

A central component of the strategy is expanding maritime career awareness and training pathways. Planned initiatives include stronger partnerships with educational institutions, new workforce development programs, and efforts to introduce maritime careers into K-12 education. Click here to review Bélisle's slide deck. 

National Collaboration and Ecosystem Development
Representatives from the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC), Matt Bogoshian and David Van Siclen, shared insights on the evolving national manufacturing landscape and the importance of regionally driven collaboration.

They highlighted AMCC’s role as a national “community of practice,” offering tools, resources, and peer-learning opportunities to strengthen regional manufacturing ecosystems. The AMCC Maritime Ecosystem Exchange was also introduced as a platform for cross-state collaboration, enabling stakeholders to share best practices and address common challenges related to workforce, supply chains, and technology adoption.

Michigan was recognized as a national leader in sector-based strategies, with opportunities to further influence federal policy and participate in initiatives such as proposed maritime prosperity zones. Click here to review the AMCC slide deck. 

Aligning State and Federal Priorities
Discussion also focused on alignment between Michigan’s Maritime Strategy and the White House Maritime Action Plan. While both emphasize workforce development and cross-sector collaboration, Michigan’s strategy takes a broader approach by including recreational maritime and additional economic development priorities.

Participants noted opportunities to leverage federal funding and programs to support state-level initiatives, particularly in expanding apprenticeship programs and workforce training efforts.



Looking Ahead
The meeting reinforced the importance of continued collaboration among industry, education, and government partners to address evolving workforce needs and support Michigan’s leadership in mobility and maritime sectors. Stakeholders were encouraged to engage with state programs, participate in national collaboration opportunities through AMCC, and contribute to ongoing strategy implementation efforts.

MAGMA Advisory Council Meetings are held quarterly. Topics rotate per meeting and are initiated by the MAGMA Governing Board. Most meetings are recorded, and presentations are posted on the MiAutomobility.org website. For additional information about MAGMA, please email info@winintelligence.org. 

Notes generated by AI and reviewed by WIN staff.