KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Numbers indicate that the Southwest Michigan region has seen its available workforce shrink by 14% in the last few years, while the population has remained relatively steady. And it’s predicted that the decline in the birthrate will only make that worse, especially with economists predicting what the future will demand.
K-RESA Superintendent Dave Campbell says the passage of a special millage, a 100-million dollar donation for a new CTE Center is making it possible to train for good paying jobs that are in demand.
K-RESA’s Eric Stuart says they are not only planning to beef up vocational training in the County, but to make it “world class”.
He says beginning this fall they will be offering more programs and starting earlier in the schools.
Right now, programs are scattered in school districts all over the county, hurting enrollment. They say the construction of a centralized CTE Center will not only attract more students, but the best teachers. It’s slated to open in 2024.
Reporting by: John McNeill
