The latest west Michigan economic outlook from Dr. Brian Long, director of supply chain management research at Grand Valley State University, shows something we have continued to see for some time: good paying jobs with no one to fill them.

Long cites an example of skilled trades positions - some with eventual income potential around $80,000 annually - that go unfilled because of a lack of local talent that is qualified.

Meanwhile, a contingent of unemployed may or may not continue to look for work, while unemployment numbers seem somewhat stable. So could someone out of work now get trained and scoop up one of those good paying, skilled trades positions? We asked Dr. Long about that. Hear what he had to say by clicking the player below.

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