Traverse City and the surrounding region are dealing with a workforce shortage.
Jobs are advertised on fast-food restaurant marquees, outside of Target at Grand Traverse Mall and at just about any business that’s feeling the workforce pinch.
Traverse Connect, which recently merged with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, held an Economic Outlook Luncheon Tuesday at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Nearly 600 business leaders gathered to get a feel for what’s next in the business sector.
Jeff Korzenik from Fifth Third Bank in Chicago was the keynote speaker, and he suggested hiring employees who have been convicted of low-level crimes — a part of society that’s often overlooked.
“What we do know, from a number of studies, is that this is a group that’s very large and very underemployed,” Korzenik said.
He outlined several studies about the workforce in the U.S., including the fact that baby boomers are leaving the workforce and millennials are still finding their stride in being productive employees.
He also broke down the rate of new entrepreneurs in the workforce by race and ethnicity, age and where males and females fit into the current spectrum.
He highlighted that the global female workforce continues to increase with women between the ages of 25 and 54 years old, and that the number of working young men is decreasing.
He attributed the decline to opioids and drug abuse by young men ages 25 to 34 years old.
Therefore, Korzenik said, employers should turn their attention to those who were once incarcerated or charged with crimes.
A powerpoint presentation outlined how businesses can offer a “second chance society” to those who committed crimes or have criminal records from years ago, highlighting that those with bad rap sheets may have made a mistake years ago but may deserve a second chance.
He used a young woman who was charged with a crime for using a fake identification to get into a bar as an example. She got caught, was charged and now has a criminal history. But is that enough to make employers not hire her?
Often times, those who admit on their applications that they have a felony or misdemeanor won’t even get an interview.
“We think the numbers are large enough and the opportunity big enough, that this could be one of the solutions to our labor shortage,” Korzenik said.
But some may fear blowback from such hires.
Korzenik understands the concerns, but says felons can be good employees, especially if they served their time years ago.
“But the key thing is to look beyond the criminal record and assess the person,” he said, highlighting that when employers do that, they might find a good hire.
Warren Call, the CEO and president of Traverse Connect, agrees that the workforce gap needs help. He introduced Korzenik to the audience outlining a need to "drive economic diversification."
“We need a skilled workforce. We need a workforce at every level of employment, so any novel and unique solutions that can be provided are going to be embraced,” he said.
The idea did not fall on deaf ears. Brian Boals is a project manager for GFA, a civil engineering company in Traverse City. With the proper screening and capability, his company might consider it.
“I don’t think we would rule them out right off the bat. I think (the) question is if the skill set is there. That’s probably the biggest issue we have is finding skill sets for our business,” Boals said.
Some companies already are helping convicted felons find jobs.
Networks Northwest has an offenders program.
DTE energy also works with the Michigan Department of Corrections to hire employees for various jobs.