Michigan Works! West Central Quarterly eNewsletter – Vol. 1, Ed. 2
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MiCareerQuest West Central
Goes Virtual for 2021
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MiCareerQuest West Central is the premiere hands-on career-exploration and college-readiness event for high school students in our region. In 2020, we hosted more than 1,300 students during our first-ever MiCareerQuest event. However, due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, this year we are hosting a virtual version of the event.
As an employer, you have opportunities to contribute and participate in MiCareerQuest West Central 2021 in several ways.
If your company wants to participate in MiCareerQuest West Central 2021, please complete the online registration form and email it here. Like last year, MiCareerQuest will focus on careers in the following categories: Agriculture/Food Processing; Healthcare; Manufacturing; and In-Demand Careers. Please take advantage of this incredible opportunity to showcase your business and industry in front of a captive audience.
There is no registration fee to participate in this year’s virtual event, however, MiCareerQuest West Central cannot take place without generous, much appreciated financial support from businesses and other organizations across the region. Depending on the visibility level you seek for your company, you have several sponsorship levels to choose from.
If you have questions about registration and sponsorship opportunities, or want more information about this year's virtual event, please email us.
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25 Employers Earn Going PRO Talent Fund Dollars! |
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$628,000 to be awarded to train 558 workers
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced on Jan. 20, it is awarding more than $628,000 to 25 local employers to help fund training opportunities for nearly 560 workers.
Funds are being awarded through the Going PRO Talent Fund, which is a competitive funding program that can help employers to train, develop and retrain current and new employees. Training plans approved by the state must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must also lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and industry-recognized.
Locally, companies applied for funding in November with the help of Michigan Works! West Central’s Business Services team. Training is expected to start as early as Monday, Feb. 1.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund has been an invaluable funding source for Michigan businesses looking to upskill their workforce and train new hires,” said Shelly Keene, executive director of Michigan Works! West Central. “This program is an investment in Michigan’s workforce that will help provide the critical skills necessary for a wide variety of in-demand jobs across our region.
"We are very pleased with this year’s awards announcement – all but one of the applications we helped employers submit was approved. I applaud our Business Services team for all of their hard work during the application period.”
For more information about the Going PRO Talent Fund, click here. |
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The following companies are being awarded Going PRO Talent Funds to train their respective workforces:
Lake County
- Cold River Heating & Cooling
Mason County
- Change Parts
- Cottage Works
- Fab-Lite (Metalworks)
- Great Lakes Castings
- Hardman Construction
- House of Flavors
- Lake FX Media
- Medilodge
- Metalworks
- Safety Decals
- UACJ Whitehall Industries
Newaygo County
- Fremont Lanes
- GM Wood Products
- Harbison Walker International
- Magna Mirrors
- Nestle-Gerber Products
Oceana County
- Arbre Farms
- GHSP
- Michigan Freeze Pack
- Peterson Farms
- The Chassis Shop
Osceola County
- LeRoy Tool & Die
- Reed City Group
- Yoplait/General Mills
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Showcasing Success
Job Seeker and Employer Success Stories from Region 4A
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Stay-at-Home Mom of 4 Finds PATH to Success |
MECOSTA COUNTY – Amanda was a stay-at-home mom to four children when she was referred to the PATH Program by Department of Health and Human Services. Just before she entered the program, her significant other of many years left her and the kids with nothing.
They had been renting a house she could not afford to pay for on her own, bills were in his name that she could not pay, no electricity, no vehicle, no phone, no GED and no recent job history.
Amanda had to learn to rely on herself to provide for her children, make decisions based on their needs and had to work to improve her self-confidence.
Amanda was able to complete her GED, which she obtained with the assistance of Quest Adult Education. She also attended weekly prep classes and worked on assignments at home as assigned by the instructor. She only needed a small number of credits to receive her diploma.
Through hard work and dedication, she was able to turn around her situation and now is working as a Patient Representative at Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital.
“Thanks so much, I wouldn't have been able to do it without your help,” Amanda said to the Talent Specialists at Michigan Works! West Central. “I don’t feel like I'm much of a success most days; there’s still so much I need to figure out! But without (Michigan Works! West Central’s) kindness and support, I would not be where I am today!”
See other Success Stories from Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties by clicking here.
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Michigan Works! West Central to Start Curbside Services in February |
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Do you need assistance building your resume and searching for work, but do you feel uncomfortable seeking assistance during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic?
Michigan Works! West Central is here to help!
We will soon be offering safe and secure curbside services to help you reassess your career goals and help you navigate our wide variety of programs. Our new Michigan Works! on Your Side, ... Curbside program allows our knowledgeable staff to help you determine which of our programs and services fit your situation, all from the comfort and safety of your car.
Depending on your needs, we can offer contactless assistance and information regarding our programs, as well as provide sanitized use of one of our workforce tablets to work with our frontline staff to suit your individual career needs.
You also can take advantage of our new Wi-Fi Hot Spots in all of our service center parking lots. You are free to park your car in our lot to use our reliable internet service to search for jobs on Pure Michigan Talent Connect and for your other career needs.
Put yourself in the driver's seat of your next career move! Contact us today to schedule your appointment with our Michigan Works! on Your Side, ... Curbside service! You Drive Up, West Central Delivers!
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JOB SEARCH TIP OF THE MONTH |
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"Your Resume is a
Living Document"
If your resume doesn't exactly match the position description you're applying for, don’t be afraid to modify wording, switch around key terms or swap bullet points in and out.
Your resume is not permanent, nor is your LinkedIn profile. Feel free to change them throughout your career!
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Virtual Job Fair Platform Now Offers Video Option |
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Michigan Works! West Central has worked tirelessly to pivot how it is able to provide services virtually since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Michigan nearly one year ago.
Our Virtual Job Fairs platform has connected nearly 30 employers with hundreds of applicants through 19 individual hiring events since May 2020!
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So far, these connections have been made through 20-minute phone interviews. However, advances in remote-workplace software have allowed us to integrate a video component to our Virtual Job Fair platform, which we now can provide to participating employers.
Now, employers have the option to interview candidates through phone or video. If your business would like to participate in an upcoming Virtual Job Fair, please email us today!
Michigan Works! West Central also is encouraging job-seekers who don't have reliable internet service to utilize our free Wi-Fi Hotspots in our service center parking lots. Park your car, use our Wi-Fi and conduct your interview with a secure internet connection.
Our next Virtual Job Fair is scheduled for
8 a.m. to 5 p.m on Thursday, Feb. 25. Click here for information about our Virtual Job Fair service. |
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BEHIND THE SCENES
Michigan Works! West Central's Celebrates Holidays
During Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
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We know how to have fun at Michigan Works! West Central!
On Dec. 18, we held our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, where we had a lot of laughs, played some games and shared in the holiday spirit! This year's event was different because we had to celebrate virtually instead of in-person. Next year, we are looking forward to be able to gather and celebrate with each other in person. Above are some of the silly photos and sweaters/costumes our awesome team members had on during the event.
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