As talent continues to be a primary barrier to growth for the manufacturing industry and the shortage of people interested in and prepared for manufacturing careers persists as a challenge exacerbated by the global pandemic, the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) announced that Bill Rayl has joined the association as Executive Director of Workforce Solutions.  

Rayl is widely regarded as one of the most successful creators of manufacturing talent programs and led the nation’s preeminent example of industry collaboration to create successful talent solutions as the leader of the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA). In his nearly 19 years at the helm of JAMA, Bill developed numerous programs and partnerships to help Jackson manufacturers attract, retain and develop a world-class workforce. Perhaps most recognizable is the Academy for Manufacturing Careers, a skilled trades-related technical instruction Registered Apprenticeship Program that has been recognized by the White House, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Great Lakes Manufacturing Council, just to name a few.

“Pervasive gaps between the skills demanded by advanced manufacturing and those supplied by Michigan’s education system and training providers remain in Michigan and deserve much greater collaboration to make Michigan manufacturers more competitive,” said John J. Walsh, President & CEO of MMA. “It is my honor to welcome Bill to the MMA family to serve as a connector for Michigan manufacturers.”

In his role at MMA, Bill will continue his lifelong work of developing new partnerships and collaborations to empower Michigan manufacturers to thrive. His work will benefit the full spectrum of manufacturers of all sizes in communities large and small across the state by connecting the needs of MMA members with the training and pipeline needed to fill thousands of available manufacturing jobs.

“To navigate the gaps between workforce supply and demand, manufacturers need a connector to chart an effective path of collaboration with potential talent producers — including K-12 schools, community colleges, universities and private training providers,” said Rayl. “I look forward to serving as a bridge between these two disparate but inextricably linked worlds to develop the strongest and most competitive manufacturing workforce in the world.”

The establishment of Rayl as the new Executive Director of Workforce Solutions is a landmark investment for the organization and builds on efforts made to advance systematic educational change and increased state funding for demand-driven manufacturing training.

“As Michigan manufacturers face increasing competition around the globe, the need for skilled workers to develop and implement new advanced technologies reaches a critical juncture,” said MMA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Johnston. “I am confident that the collaborative solutions established by Bill and the MMA team will help Michigan manufacturers win the war for talent.”

For more information or to schedule a call with MMA President & CEO John Walsh, MMA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Johnston or MMA Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Bill Rayl, contact MMA’s Delaney McKinley at 517-487-8530 or mckinley@mimfg.org.

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Contact Delaney McKinley

Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Events
Call 517-487-8530
E-mail mckinley@mimfg.org