Celena Mancina, Grand Circus and Brandon Brown, Meridan West Michigan’s IT industry is one of the fastest growing in the nation. With a growth rate +6.5% over the national average, employers are concerned about finding enough talent to fill their job openings. On Thursday, June 21, West Michigan Tech Talent ...
IT Apprenticeship is a win-win for local employer and employee Last year, Community West Credit Union realized they needed to add a Help Desk Specialist to their IT Team. At the same time, current marketing employee, Sandy, began studying computer science to transition into the IT field. Through grant funding ...
D’Angelo Green will graduate from Muskegon Heights High School Academy with a very bright future. But the outlook hasn’t always been so positive. A bleak future At the start of his senior year, D’Angelo lacked the essentials needed for graduation and success beyond high school: credits, motivation, maturity and basic ...
Non-Traditional Ways to Develop Talent Pipelines & Diversify Your Workforce It seems these days everyone is talking about how unemployment rates across the country are at a historical low. While this factor may indicate a healthy economy, what does it mean for companies who need qualified workers? Employers may need ...
by Jane Kreha, Director of Marketing Muskegon CNA graduates West Michigan Works! and its program partner, Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI), graduated two classes of Certified Nurse Aids (CNAs) this May. In ceremonies in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, 13 individuals were pinned and are now ready to begin their ...
Going PRO apprenticeship readiness participants with their new employers Program matches young adults with manufacturing employers Wednesday, May 30 was “signing day” for six Allegan residents eager to begin careers in manufacturing. The individuals, a mix of recent high school graduates and young adults seeking a career pathway, are participants ...
Build a Skilled Workforce With Training Funds Low unemployment levels mean today’s job-seeker pool is at historically low levels. Yet, employers still have jobs they need to fill. West Michigan Works! can connect employers to a variety of services to address their talent needs, including access to workforce training funds. ...
On April 25, more than 9,500 students from 85 middle and high schools throughout Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties learned about future career opportunities at MiCareerQuest 2018. Student attendees participated in interactive exhibits and conversations with 117 area employers. "Most often career fairs don't include civil ...
Anna Trujillo was referred to West Michigan Works! after returning to Michigan from California in August 2017. Anna was worried about finding employment; she didn’t have a credential, interview clothing, transportation funds or a Michigan driver's license and registration. She needed a way to support herself and her three children. ...
Since 2015, the State of Michigan has dedicated millions of dollars for grants to help employers train their workforce. Availability of Skilled Trades Training Funds has been approved on an annual basis to date, but pending legislation will provide long-term operation of the funding program. Under Senate Bill 946, the ...