Launch of the Healthcare and Advanced Manufacturing Learning Communities

 

Thank you to all who attended the August 14th meeting of the Mid-Michigan Innovation Team’s (MMIT) Healthcare and Advanced Manufacturing Learning Communities!  Due to widespread input and engagement, the day was a great success, with priorities and goals outlined to foster growth in these vital Mid-Michigan industries. 

 

The following is a quick review of the first meeting’s outcomes, with information on what’s to come.

 

Recap of the First Meeting of the Advanced Manufacturing and Healthcare Learning Communities

 

Lou Glazer (President of Michigan Future, Inc.) set the stage for the day’s efforts by outlining priorities for fostering growth.  Glazer’s presentation provided an insightful and succinct understanding of regional qualities that attract talent and drive prosperity:

 

 

• Creating an entrepreneurial environment/regional attitude that rewards innovation
• Creating attractive places to live, especially for young adults who are drawn to diverse, energizing, and vibrant places
• Creating education systems that graduate students prepared to continue and succeed in post-secondary education & training, employment, and life-long learning

 

Following Glazer’s presentation, participants discussed these qualities of prosperous regions, and considered our own region’s progress and opportunities. 

 

 

 

Here is a list of many of the organizations who have engaged in the Learning Communities efforts:

 

 

 During discussions, participants began the process of distilling the broad priorities outlined by Glazer into concrete, reachable outcomes.  Small groups considered each priority in terms of how vital and actionable it is for our region.  Groups came to consensus as to our region’s current progress, ranking Mid-Michigan at an average of 3 on a scale of 1-7 for each priority.  Clearly, participants agreed that there is opportunity for change.

 

At lunch the group was divided along industry lines, with “promising practices” presentations given in both the Healthcare and the Advanced Manufacturing rooms.  We are grateful to Paul Edwards (Greater Flint Health Coalition), Jeff Dole (Capital Area Healthcare & Education Partnership), Patrick Curry (Fullerton Tool), and Dr. Sandra Krug and Glenn Bivins (Baker College and State of Michigan Office of Apprenticeship) for offering examples of successful innovation and collaboration.

 

Given the morning’s discussion of regional priorities leading to consensus about the current state of our region, and the afternoon’s examples of progressive approaches -- both groups were eager to begin industry-specific goal-setting.  The discussion centered on identifying concrete outcomes that, when achieved, will have a lasting impact on each industry’s security.

 

Here’s a brief recap of the outcomes from the industry-specific portion of the day:

 

 Advanced Manufacturing

 

Several plans for achieving ideal outcomes were presented, nearly all of which had an educational theme with a heavy emphasis on developing linkages and alignment.  One plan which stood out for its widespread support and interest, however, was centered on expanding and developing new markets through involving business partners to systemize methods supporting diversification.  In the end, the group decided to further consider strategies focused on both educational and diversification goals.  The next meeting (September 21^st, 8:30 – 11:30 am in Flint) will flesh out these two themes (and the plans that fostered them) into a concrete strategy for the Advanced Manufacturing Learning Community.

 

Healthcare

 

The Healthcare Learning Community produced several innovative plans which had a common focus on educational and training goals.  Plans for supporting mentoring programs, increasing graduation capacity, enhancing alignment of educational/training programs and employers’ needs, and experiential learning outcomes were all presented.    It was clear that a focus on collaboration and innovation towards improved educational outcomes will be the focus of the Healthcare Learning Community.  The next meeting of this group will develop these early goals into a focused strategy for prosperity in the Healthcare industry in Mid-Michigan.  This meeting will be on September 20^th, 8:30 – 11:30 am at the Genesys Conference Center (just south of Flint.)

 

Thanks again to all who attended, presented, and gave input!  Your enthusiasm and commitment launched the Learning Communities off to a great start with commendable momentum.  We’ll look forward to seeing you in September.

 

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship Learning Community Convened by Karen Bantel (Executive Director, Michigan Entrepreneurship Education Network)the Learning Community is a growing regional network of entrepreneurship educators connecting with resources, information, and people in the entrepreneurship education community.  Involvement in this Learning Community allows participants to receive a current profile of entrepreneurship education in Michigan, including a description of the programs throughout the region.  Participants learn about successful, innovative entrepreneurship education approaches, the important role of incubators and other partners, as well as the ability to network with colleagues to join efforts to enhance entrepreneurship education.

  

HOW will the Entrepreneurship Learning Community help drive regional prosperity?

 

   

 

• LouGlazer's Progress Report 2008 outlines priorities for growth

 

• Connections with MMIT/WIRED-grant funded efforts in Mid-Michigan

   

• Opportunities to discuss your program and priorities

   

• Opportunities for collaboration to develop promising regional practices

   

• Participate in the development of an action agenda to foster entrepreneurship

 

 

For more information on the MMIT, please visit www.midmiinnovationteam.org or email c.alley@primacivitas.org.