Business & Economy

Bill to end mandatory career readiness test pleases educators, vexes business leaders

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By MAXWELL EVANS
Capital News Service

LANSING — High school juniors would no longer have to take the ACT WorkKeys career readiness test under a bill with broad legislative backing — a move touted by educators as a way to save time, money and student stress. But some business leaders say eliminating the test would make it harder to find qualified job candidates. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Rep. John Reilly, R-Oakland Township, and co-sponsors include Reps. Aaron Miller, R-Sturgis, Padma Kuppa, D-Troy, and Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain. Reilly introduced a similar bill in the last legislative session, but it died in the House Education Reform Committee.

Business & Economy

Labor pain: Lack of infant care stymies economic growth

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By MAXWELL EVANS
Capital News Service

LANSING —  West Michigan cities are primed for growth, but local business leaders say a shortage of quality infant and toddler care is holding it up. In Traverse City, it’s a struggle to attract qualified care providers, said Mary Manner, the Great Start coordinator for Venture North Funding, a nonprofit economic development organization serving Grand Traverse, Wexford, Emmet, Manistee, Leelanau, Antrim, Charlevoix, Benzie, Missaukee and Kalkaska counties. An estimated 1,520 Grand Traverse County infants and toddlers need care, while “quality” providers in the county  have only 386 openings, according to a recent study commissioned by Networks Northwest, a regional workforce development group. In addition to the general shortage, major industries in the Traverse City area have diverse and specific unmet needs, Manner said. Access to infant care is a persistent challenge for the region’s seasonal agricultural workers, she said.