< Previous56 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO Nfor example, and they have capital investors kicking the tires of their state to assess labor and skills supply in case their business model requires a new location there. Rather than rank specifi c state workforce training programs or STEM initiatives across the country or even across a region, Site Selection looks regionally at the state contexts in which such programs are applied. Is there a culture of proactivity, a leader-of-the-pack emphasis on getting graduates to work in in-demand industries and occupations? On skills credentialing? e states with that kind of focus on workforce will be the states with the individually branded programs that work, and that companies notice.Ranking components here are: () CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business Workforce and Education sub-ranking; () Forbes’ Best States for Business Labor Supply sub-ranking; () U.S. News’ Best States for Education rankings; () ACT National Career Readiness Certifi cates (NCRC) Rankings; and () average number of workforce development enactments passed in state legislatures (most recent data).culture of proactivity, a leader-of-the-pack emphasis on getting graduates to work in in-demand industries and occupations? On skills credentialing? e states Career Readiness Certifi cates (NCRC) Rankings; and () average number of workforce development enactments passed in state legislatures (most recent data).56 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NOn skills credentialing? e states in state legislatures (most recent data).58 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO N S I T E S E L E C T I O N JANUARY 2019 59 S I T E S E L E C T I O N JANUARY 2019 5960 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NINDUSTRY 4.0 AND THE FUTURE OF WORKBy DEBRA LYONSeditor@siteselection.comDid you know we are in the fourth Industrial Revolution? Somewhere around 2013, we moved from industrial systems driven by computers and automation to cyber-physical systems de ned by arti cial intelligence, miniaturized high-speed computing and big data all wrapped in a wireless networking cloud interfacing with a geophysical world. A simple example is the automated control of smart appliances networked to power companies to create greater energy ef ciencies. A manufacturing example is smart factories automatically adjusting production to improve ef ciencies, provide greater customization and reduce operating cost while mitigating negative environmental impact. The hottest topic right now in the workforce development world is the future of work. How will jobs be impacted by the high-speed pace of technology? And how will we prepare this future workforce?Until recently, future-of-work discussions revolved around arti cial intelligence replacing humans at work. But if that were the case, why are we still seeing a skills gap predicted well into the future? New thinking on this topic now shows that jobs are not necessarily disappearing — but they are being augmented by technology. This thinking is putting a new lens on talent preparation.Survey data recently published by the World Economic Forum shows that many job skills will be augmented by technology in the next ve years — but to varying degrees. Skills like reasoning and decision-making; coordinating, developing, managing and advising; and communicating and interacting will be augmented by technology — but to a much lower degree than job skills like information and data processing. 19%19%23%28%31%29%34%36%47%28%29%31%44%44%46%46%55%62%HUMAN MACHINE2018HUMAN MACHINE2020REASONING & DECISION MAKINGCOORDINATING, DEVELOPING, MANAGING & ADVISINGCOMMUNICATING & INTERACTINGADMINISTERINGPERFORMING PHYSICAL & MANUAL WORK ACTIVITIESIDENTIFYING & EVALUATING JOB-RELEVANT INFORMATIONPERFORMING COMPLEX & TECHNICAL ACTIVITESLOOKING FOR & RECEIVING JOB-RELATED INFORMATIONINFORMATION & DATA PROCESSINGRATIO OF HUMAN-MACHINE WORKING HOURS, 2018 VS. 2022 (PROJECTED)SOURCE: FUTURE OF JOBS SURVEY 2018, WORLD ECONOMIC FORUMThe impact of Industry 4.0 is shifting the type and priority of job skills valued by employers in the next ve years. Industry leaders are citing analytical thinking, innovation, active learning, technical design and systems analysis as in-demand skills. Community preparation should include a strategic workforce development plan that addresses the impact of Industry 4.0 on jobs with a focus on developing problem-solving skills, digital acumen, systems learning, leadership skills and life-long learning pro ciency. With workforce demographics that show as many workers will be over 40 as under 40 continuing well into the future, retraining of the current workforce should also be a part of the plan. And the measures of success must be able to af rm that the workforce has these skills and is prepared to ll these future jobs. Is your community ready?Debra Lyons is Principal at Lyons Workforce, LLC, and Principal Strategist—Workforce Development at Garner Economics, LLC (www.garnereconomics.com), Atlanta.Website: lyonsworkforce.comEmail: debra@lyonsworkforce.com62 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NYou Are Cleared to LandWhere mobility assets on the ground add lift to R&D operations.The only location better suited for automotive research and development than Southeast Michigan, where the bulk of such work already takes place, is also in Southeast Michigan — in the Detroit Region Aerotropolis, specifically. The 6,000-acre tract is home to two airports — Detroit Metropolitan, a Delta Airlines global hub, and Willow Run, serving cargo, general aviation and charters. The Aerotropolis public-private partnership does more than cater to aviation-related services. It connects potential investors in most any industry with local officials — township, county and state — and to most other resources that can facilitate a new project. Proximity to the airports, several Interstates and the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing plus five Class A rail lines make the Detroit Region Aerotropolis ideal for logistics operations. It’s part of the Greater Detroit Free Trade Zone, too. To that point, Penske Logistics occupies a 600,000-square-foot warehouse and food grade distribution center. Amazon operates an 855,000-square-foot, 1,500-person fulfillment center — its first Amazon Robotics center in the Detroit area.The Aerotropolis is also the location of the American Center for Mobility (ACM), adjacent to Willow Run Airport in Washtenaw County. General Motors operated a powertrain plant at the site until 2010. Today, it’s a non-profit testing, education and product development facility for future mobility, complete with a 2.5-mile highway loop, 700-foot curved tunnel, 1.5-mile urban road, roundabout, garages and other amenities with which to test vehicles and devices and advance the mobility industry. ACM, one of 10 U.S. DOT designated Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds in the U.S., will only make Southeastern Michigan and the Aerotropolis region more competitive as mobility R&D accelerates in the coming years. It’s working already. Subaru Research and Development is building a new North American Technical Center in the Aerotropolis, which eventually will employ approximately 100 research specialists and engineers. Move in is scheduled for December 2019. The Aerotropolis location keeps in place Subaru’s proximity to the EPA in Ann Arbor, and the Van Buren Township and state of Michigan were proactive in bringing forward incentives and location options from the outset. The automaker learned of sites, including the one it’s on, before they were even on the market.Where the Deals Get DoneIn addition to the Subaru R&D Center, Piston Automotive is establishing a new battery-casings manufacturing operation in Van Buren. But the Aerotropolis has plenty of room for more investment.by MARK ARENDmar k .ar end@ site s ele c tion.c omINVESTMENT PROFILE:DETROIT REGION AEROTROPOLISPhoto: Getty ImagesSI T E S E L E C T IO NJANUARY 201963“Moving forward, there is a lot of opportunity in our region,” says Ron Akers, Van Buren’s director of economic development. “Between the two airports and other transportation amenities, the Aerotropolis’s role in marketing our region is very important. Michigan is a complex political geography, so an entity that makes sure the right people are in the room at the same time is a huge positive for the site selectors and companies and for the communities as well. It helps make sure that the deals get done.” Why did Piston Automotive pick Van Buren? Proximity to a key client was at the top of the list.“In Van Buren, we will be building battery modules for two future Ford vehicles,” says Dave Chon, vice president of sales and marketing. “We looked for an available building that had the size and space to handle these programs as well as proximity to Ford.”Another recent investment in the Aerotropolis will take advantage of its logistics assets. Illinois-based Medline Industries, a leading producer of medical supplies, plans to lease a ,-square-foot facility in Romulus, investing $. million and creating jobs, with the potential to reach $ million in total investment over five years.“ e Detroit area has been home to Medline branch operations for over years,” says Dmitry Dukhan, Medline’s vice president of real estate, facilities, supply chain optimization. “We are very excited about this opportunity to grow and share our success with the community, especially in the Aerotropolis region. Its investments in infrastructure, pursuit of growth opportunities and pro-business environment are very attractive to Medline Industries.”Tim Keyes, director of economic development for Romulus, welcomes Medline, Amazon, Mopar, Penske and all investors in Romulus and in the Aerotropolis. e Subaru project, he says, gets directly at the mission regional leaders have in mind for the Aerotropolis. “It’s a project that is symbiotic with the American Center for Mobility and is tied to automotive, advanced manufacturing and research and development,” he points out. Investors in advanced manufacturing and logistics facilities will find much of the available acreage in the Aerotropolis ideal for their needs, he adds.“ACM will be one of the largest testing grounds for autonomous vehicles in the country,” says Wayne County Assistant County Executive Khalil Rahal. “ e Subaru project is exactly what the investment in ACM is supposed to spur, and this is evidence that it’s working. ACM is a clear-cut advantage the Aerotropolis has over other sites in the country. e airports are yet another means of travel, of mobility, and they also have plenty of capacity. e greater we can invest in the educational resources needed to create and train the best talent, especially given their proximity to these mobility assets, the greater ability we will have to retain the talent we have and to stay competitive in this arena.” is Investment Profile waas prepared under the auspices of Detroit Region Aerotropolis. For more information, call -- or go to www.DetroitAero.org.The American Center for Mobility is a magnet for automotive R&D work. Photo courtesy of ACMNext >