By Briana Mitchell, Program Communications Officer
The Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership (DRWP) has launched the first installment of its Breaking Down Barriers series, which explores the key challenges limiting employment access in southeast Michigan. In the first installment, the DRWP team worked with employer partners across the region to share insights, data and case studies that highlight how transportation plays a large role in preventing residents from sustaining viable employment.
Data shows that 1 in 4 Michigan residents cite transportation insecurity as an employment barrier, leading to absenteeism and turnover. Limited access to stable and reliable transportation in our region also remains a roadblock for the workforce to obtain employment.
“The strength of our region relies on a workforce that is holistically supported to grow their careers and power employer success,” DRWP Director Jayme Powell says. “By addressing transportation barriers in southeast Michigan, we can help businesses attract and retain talent while ensuring residents access the job opportunities that drive economic mobility.”
Regional workforce partners are committed to informing strategies and deploying solutions that will foster a region where efficient and effective transportation is accessible and empowers employees to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.
“Transportation remains one of the most persistent barriers to employment in our region. Too many skilled and motivated individuals are locked out of opportunity simply because they can’t reliably get to work,” says Terri Weems, Group Executive of Workforce and Detroit at Work Development – City of Detroit. “If we’re serious about building an inclusive and resilient workforce, we must confront this challenge head-on. Employers have a powerful role to play. These aren’t just acts of goodwill — they’re smart recruitment and retention strategies that expand access to talent and strengthen our entire economy.”
The DRWP transportation document is a great resource for employers to gain a deeper understanding of how transportation impacts the workforce and provides examples of how organizations and businesses are collaborating across the country to tackle this barrier.