Michigan Works! West Central Quarterly eNewsletter – Vol. 2, Ed. 3

Lake County Woman Earns 2022 Impact Award Jessica Liggett (center) was selected to receive a 2022 Impact Award from Michigan Works! West Central for her determination to complete her high school diploma through Mason-Lake Adult Education, and continuing to seek out work when no employers would hire her. The awards ceremony was held March 24, in Lansing. Jessica received a standing ovation from those in attendance after a video of her story was presented at the event. Jessica Liggett Finishes Diploma, Obtains First-Ever Job Jessica Liggett has struggled with reading and speech her entire life. These barriers prevented her from finding success for years, and subsequently had a negative impact on her self-confidence. So, when she entered the Mason-Lake Adult Education program to earn her high school diploma, she was very unsure of herself and the journey she was about to begin. She earned her high school diploma through the program and started looking for work. It took her several years to obtain her first-ever job, which is at the Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin. Thanks to her determination and desire to advance her education, Michigan Works! West Central selected Jessica as their 2022 Impact Award winner. Read her inspiring success story and view pictures of the award ceremony by clicking here. Watch her success story video by clicking here.

MiCareerQuest 2022 To Be Held Virtually New Video Will Highlight Careers, Employers From West Central Region

MiCareerQuest West Central is the premiere hands-on career-exploration and college-readiness event for high school students in our six-county region!  Although we were not able to host an in-person event last year, we were still excited to bring information about high-growth careers, employers and education paths available in our region! Last year, we created four industry-sector videos that were viewed by students in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties. For 2022, we originally planned to host an in-person event at Ferris State University. However, due to on-going concerns amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, we are shifting to a video format similar to 2021, set to be released at the end of May.

Michigan Works! West Central will host a virtual MiCareerQuest for 2022. A video highlighting employers and career paths in our region will be released to area high schools at the end of May 2022. Visit MWWC.org/micq for updated information. We hope to return to an in-person format for 2023. Be sure to checkout our next eNewsletter to view this year's MiCareerQuest video, which will be released in June 2022.

Safety is our No. 1 priority! With the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, we are want to make sure that students, vendors and volunteers are as safe as possible, which is why we are switching to virtual. Be sure to checkout our next quarterly eNewsletter to view this year's MiCareerQuest video. We hope to return to an in-person event in 2023!

Open Orientation Held Weekly At All Of Our Centers

For more information about our open orientation and our service center locations, visit MWWC.org/Contact-Us and contact the service center nearest you!

Are you looking to advance your career? Contact Michigan Works! West Central today to see how we can help! We offer a variety of FREE programs and services to help you take the next step to move your career ahead! Want to learn more about how we may be able to help you? Come to one of our open orientation sessions to get more information and to see if you are eligible for assistance and supportive services! Open orientation times are as follows: Mondays @ 10 a.m. in Newaygo Mondays @2 p.m. in Shelby Tuesdays @ 9 a.m. in Big Rapids Tuesdays @ 3:30 p.m. in Reed City Wednesdays @10 a.m. in Ludington Thursdays @ 9:30 a.m. in Baldwin

Showcasing Success Job Seeker & Employer Success Stories From Region 4A "(Thanks to the) Clean Slate program, I was finally able to have my record expunged."

Scott W. was able to change his situation and more easily advance his career after enrolling in our Clean Slate program. This FREE service can help those with a criminal record gain access to better employment, housing and education, if eligible. If you live in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties and have a criminal record, we can help remove eligible offenses to break free from your past and move forward with your future! For more information about the Clean Slate program, eligible offenses and to complete a pre-application screening form, click here.

Get the Training You Need To Succeed With MiLEAP

Last year, Michigan Works! West Central funding to respond to the economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Michigan Learning and Education Advancement Program (MiLEAP), we are able to help job seekers make the jump from education and training to employment by delivering short- and mid-term customized training solutions! The goal of MiLEAP is to get Michigan back to work by helping job seekers find education and training programs in high-skill, high-wage careers that result in industry-recognized credentials and reduced educational debt! Let our experienced MiLEAP Navigator help you overcome any barriers to education, identify resources, and provide the guidance and support you need to advance your training and career! For more information about MiLEAP and to see if you qualify, click here. Additional information can be found at Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.

JOB SEARCH TIP OF THE MONTH

"Search Companies' Websites For Job Listings"

Some companies choose to keep their job postings on their website instead of posting them on job-search boards. It's worth doing an internet search of companies within your desired industry and looking at their websites. Also, before filling out your application, get to know who they are, what they do and who their clients are. Knowing all of this information shows you're serious about wanting a job opportunity from them. Another great place to search for jobs is on the state's job search engine, Pure Michigan Talent Connect. Check out the jobs listed there by clicking here.

Michigan Works! West Central also can help build your resume and cover letter, conduct mock interviews and more! Ask your Talent Specialist how they can help prepare you to make a great impression when you go through the interview process! Visit mwwc.org/contact-us to find the service center nearest you! For more monthly Job Search Tips, be sure to check out our social media profiles! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter!

BEHIND THE SCENES Employers Receive Going PRO Talent Fund Awards

(ABOVE) Michigan Works! West Central Executive Director Shelly Keene presents Hannah Schmidt and Jennifer Ebenstein from GM Wood Products in Newaygo with a $78,010 reimbursement check for completing their FY21 Going PRO Talent Fund training program. GM Wood Products trained 57 employees in areas such as leadership, machine tech, quality, Lean 6 Sigma, maintenance, forklift operator, moulder tech and more!

The Going PRO Talent Fund Can Help Your Business The Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF) provides competitive awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the GPTF must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer.  Applications are submitted by Michigan Works! West Central for employers in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties. Customized classroom training can apply for up to $1,500 per individual, or $3,000 per new USDOL Registered Apprentice.

For a list of companies and trainings that have been approved click here. For more information about the Going PRO Talent Fund, eligible training and how to apply, contact Michigan Works! West Central’s Business Services team today. For businesses in Mason and Oceana counties, contact Julie Sanders at (231) 349-6072 or [email protected]; for Lake and Osceola counties, contact Mark Buss at (231) 791-7065 or [email protected]; and for Mecosta and Newaygo counties, contact Chad Marr at (231) 660-0258 or [email protected].

(TOP RIGHT) Michigan Works! West Central Executive Director Shelly Keene (left) presents UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries in Ludington Extrusion Plant Manager Duane Tyndall (center) and President David Cooper (right) with a $70,145 reimbursement check in March for their FY21 Going PRO Talent Fund award. The funds are reimbursement for training 53 employees, including training for 12 individuals on using Mastercam; leadership training for 38 individuals; and to add three new USDOL Registered Apprentices in the Electrician program. (BOTTOM RIGHT) Michigan Works! West Central Executive Director Shelly Keene (far left) poses with staff from Magna Mirrors' Newaygo Division. Magna Mirrors received a portion of it's nearly $85,000 Going PRO Talent Fund award amount for FY21 for training 46 new-hire employees, including 43 production operators and three manufacturing setup technicians, who all underwent 120 hours of training.

Connect with us online ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Visit our website Michigan Works! West Central is funded by State and Federal funds and governed by local Workforce Development Boards and Local Elected Officials. More details available on the Legal Disclaimer page at www.mwwc.org/legal-disclaimer. Michigan Works! West Central is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Michigan Relay Service: 711 | Supported by the State of Michigan.