LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the creation of a new office to help Michiganders and companies navigate transitions to new greener technologies emerging in the auto and energy sectors of the state.
The new office, named the Community & Worker Economic Transition Office, will aim to develop strategies that help people and businesses take advantage of high-tech jobs coming to the state.
The office was created as part of the Clean Energy & Climate Action package of bills signed into law in November of 2023.
“Michigan can lead and build the future of clean energy as we bring home more critical supply chains and create thousands more good-paying jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “To ensure that Michiganders can get these jobs, we launched the new Community & Worker Economic Transition Office. Their mission is to connect workers to the in-demand, high-skill jobs that will be created right here in Michigan in the decades ahead building electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and so much more. By working closely with our workers and manufacturers, we can expand opportunity and grow Michigan’s economy. Let’s get it done.”
Michigan added more than 5,400 workers to clean energy businesses in the state in 2022, according to the 2023 Clean Jobs America Report. The report also noted that Michigan's 123,983 clean energy workers is the largest such workforce in the Midwest.
The Economic Transition Office will split its focus between communities, workers and employees.
The office will collaborate with community leaders and stakeholders to address risks to the economy of the state's different regions.
It will also help workers on a path to the high-tech jobs coming to the state by promoting existing worker resources and working with leaders to create new programs to fill gaps.
And the office will help employers by finding opportunities to support small and medium-sized businesses, women and minority-owned businesses, and businesses who experienced losses from the decline of manufacturing jobs.
"The shift to renewable energy and electric vehicles to address climate change is going to have a major impact on our state's economy and create new opportunities," said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. "I appreciate the Governor's leadership in creating an office within state government that is dedicated solely to helping companies and their employees successfully navigate this transition."
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