Living with change: The only place to live

By Tim Sheehy - President of MMAC

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“65% of the jobs our children will apply for don’t exist today”

- Becky Frankiewicz
President of ManpowerGroup N.A. 

This issue of Milwaukee Commerce looks into the future make-up of the region’s economy. Disruptive technologies, shifting demographics and new business models all converge to cloud that picture. Living with change seems to be the only place to live.

>>View Milwaukee Commerce winter edtion

Given this context, MMAC members will see a consistent focus in our effort to help build metro Milwaukee as a community of lifelong learners. As work changes the nature of jobs, the regions that will compete best for prosperity will be home to companies, universities and K-12 systems that prepare talent to be adept and adaptive. Developing talent that drives change and harnesses its rewards.

But to be successful, we must invest in kids at an early age. MMAC’s “Be the Spark” program brings MPS seventh-graders into local businesses so they can experience a variety of career options and better understand how classroom learning can have real-world applications.

Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) is another effort promoted by MMAC. This program, sponsored by Microsoft and a private donation from Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, aims to put computer science classes in 25 high schools. TEALS recruits programmers to guide teachers in delivering computer coursework. The goal is to introduce new skills that provide new opportunities to students who don’t currently have access.

These are two small examples of a deep dive we are leading into matching our region’s talent needs with the future demands of our members as employers.

Thank you for your support, and here is to a productive and prosperous 2019.