2025 Education and Talent Convening Recap
Earlier this spring, the ACCE Foundation’s Education & Talent Convening took place in Detroit. The event, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber, featured keynote presentations, breakout sessions and multiple opportunities for chamber of commerce workforce development professionals to network and learn from each other. Here are some key takeaways and highlights from convening.
Ground development decisions in data.
Using data to drive chamber decisions in talent development was a strong theme throughout the meeting.
- Participants learned about different workforce data sources and how to identify insights that can drive programmatic success, improve policies and align education with industry needs.
- On talent migration, Strada Education Foundation and University of Michigan staff analyzed where and when talent moves in the U.S. In response to this exclusive look at the initial findings, one attendee said, “I thought our region had a brain drain issue, but this data shows otherwise.” Participants discussed its implications and how their chambers could support talent retention efforts in their communities.
- Additional insights emphasized that using a variety of data sources, such as job postings, industry reports and census data, along with real-time demand data, like that from Lightcast, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of workforce challenges. Combining this data with context from partners, employers and industry experts can help create a more robust and accurate picture of workforce needs and trends.
To go far, go together.
Strong partnerships empower chambers to play a vital role in driving positive community outcomes in education and talent development. Each of the convening’s sessions stressed how partnerships with education institutions, employers and other nonprofits were critical to success. Although they may be more challenging to manage, partnerships can lead to more funding and positive member feedback for talent development programs.
The "Collaborating for Talent Attraction" breakout session featured organizations involved in the “You Can in Michigan” campaign. When the Michigan Economic Development Corporation first launched this award-winning national talent attraction campaign in October 2023, it was the largest talent attraction effort in the country. They explained how its success was tied to long-term relationships. Key insights from the session:
- Facilitating employer engagement can help prevent employer participation fatigue and determine the most effective use of resources. In some communities, teachers were individually reaching out to companies to present in classrooms, which overwhelmed employers.
- Partnering employers with education systems can open additional avenues for funding and sustainability. Employers can be more willing to invest in solutions that benefit their workforce.
- Working with businesses on policy and advocacy that address issues at a systems-level can improve what the workforce development system and partners can provide to students, workers and employers.
Hosted connections.
Participants were able to see workforce-related collaboration in action with a tour led by the Detroit Regional Chamber, which highlighted the deep connection between talent and economic development. Stops included the Apple Developer Academy, a partnership between Michigan State University and Apple, and Google’s Code Next Detroit at Michigan Central, a former rail station that is now the center of Detroit’s innovation hub. Both programs provide free industry-led curriculum for careers in tech.
Thank you to our host, the Detroit Regional Chamber and to the convening's sponsors:
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