Talking Michigan Transportation Reprise: Focusing on the work force as we enter a new road construction season
Feb 26, 2026
Karen Faussett, MDOT travel forecasting lead who models economic benefits of transportation investment. Heath Salisbury, Operating Engineers Local 324 training director and veteran heavy-equipment operator. They discuss how infrastructure funding supports thousands of trades jobs. They cover apprenticeship costs and training facilities. They explain how investment translates into jobs and wider economic impacts, and risks from funding uncertainty.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Dirt Laborer To Training Director
- Heath Salisbury described rising through hands-on roles from laborer to superintendent and now training apprentices.
- He emphasized the pride in operating equipment and how on-the-seat experience builds the 'eye for grade' that GPS now complements.
Funding Cliff Threatens Michigan Workforce
- Reduced road funding directly shrinks training opportunities and contractors' workloads, risking layoffs and worker migration to neighboring states.
- Salisbury warned that losing trained apprentices wastes investments and drains Michigan's workforce to states with more stable funding.
Big Investment Per Apprentice
- Salisbury says Operating Engineers invests roughly $60,000 to $80,000 per apprentice across instruction and local supports.
- He highlighted having over 500 apprentices now and the real cost of reversing that progress if funding drops.