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Michigan Works! West Central
Quarterly eNewsletter - Vol. 3, Ed. 2
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Michigan Works! West Central Hosts First-Ever Reentry United Conference | |
ABOVE: MDOC Mentor Coordinator Tony Mills talks during a breakout session during the Reentry United event in November. BELOW: William Kitchen shares his personal success story during the opening panel discussion. | |
Nearly 250 Individuals From Across Michigan Participate in Grand Rapids Event | |
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In partnership with Fresh Coast Alliance and the Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan Works! West Central held the first-ever Reentry United conference in November. Nearly 250 people from across Michigan attended the event highlighting successful partnerships, programs and services that can benefit returning citizens.
The inaugural conference featured breakout sessions and panel discussions on topics like services for justice-involved individuals, successful collaboration with MDOC and returning citizens, mentoring programs, re-entry grants, trauma, the future of re-entry and more!
For more pictures from the Reentry United event, click here.
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ABOVE: Michigan Works! West Central created short video features of its frontline staff. You can find all of them on our YouTube channel. BELOW: All Talent Specialist videos are available on a YouTube playlist by clicking here. | |
Video Series Highlights Frontline Staff | |
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Michigan Works! West Central wants to introduce you to our talented Talent Specialists! Our rock-star frontline staff greets and helps participants entering our service centers every day looking for job-search assistance, training and more!
Each Talent Specialist is motivated by something different, but they all enjoy seeing their participants succeed!
Each video is being shared on our social medial platforms every Monday with the hashtag #MeetMWWCMonday. Follow us on social media by clicking here to meet a new member of our team each week!
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Michigan Works! West Central Boards Identify 3 Focus Areas | |
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In October, members of Michigan Works! West Central's Workforce Development Board and Local-Elected Officials board participated in a future-services strategy planning session.
During the meeting, several priorities for the organization were discussed. The board ultimately identified the following 3 focus areas for staff to work on during the next 2 years:
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Maximize Technology: We want to make sure we are reaching participants where they are digitally, including utilizing digital documents, developing a downloadable app and more.
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Highlighting Participant Experience: Whether we're promoting services, educating staff, developing new workshops or reporting success stories, we're looking to learn from our customers, both employers and job seekers. Ensuring you have a high-value experience will help us to share participant success stories with others.
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Increase Apprenticeship Training: Michigan Works! West Central now hold its own apprenticeship standards through the USDOL, which allows our agency to function as an intermediary to help small businesses develop and manage apprenticeship programs. For more information about apprenticeships, click here.
We are continually looking to improve services and how effectively we are able to provide them to participants. We will be sending out surveys to job seekers and businesses in early 2023. Please take a few minutes to let us know how we can improve your experience!
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ABOVE: Michigan Works! West Central Business Services Specialist Julie Sanders (left) poses with WSCC President Scott Ward, USDOL Director for Michigan Russ Davis and USDOL Apprenticeship Training Rep. Steve Long during the signing event for the new apprenticeship. (Courtesy photo) | |
Michigan Works! West Central, WSCC, Corewell Health
and USDOL partner to form nursing apprenticeship
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The first-ever registered-nurse apprentice program in Michigan was signed into effect in November at a ceremony that included West Shore Community College, Corewell Health Ludington Hospital, Michigan Works! West Central and the U.S. Department of Labor.
“This is a one-year, competency-based apprenticeship program that will allow nursing students to go above and beyond the scope of traditional classroom training. Those enrolled in the program will not only gain knowledge in the classroom, but also from a mentor in a real hospital setting," said Shelly Keene, executive director of Michigan Works! West Central.
To read the full story, click here!
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Two Reed City High School Students Sign Letters of Intent
to Enter Local Apprenticeship Programs
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ABOVE: Seth Jackson and Ryan Jones (seated) pose for pictures with staff from Reed City Group after they signed letters of intent to enter their apprenticeship programs when they graduate from Reed City High School this spring. BELOW: Watch their video success story by clicking here. | |
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Reed City High School seniors Seth Jackson and Ryan Jones recently signed letters of intent to start USDOL Registered Apprenticeship programs at a local manufacturing facility.
After they graduate high school this spring, they will begin working at Reed City Group to start their respective programs. Seth will enter the electrical panel builder program and Ryan will enter the moldmaker program.
The pair will undergo 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of in-classroom training during the next four years with no out-of-pocket costs. Michigan Works! West Central will be there to support them along the way as they kickstart their careers!
To watch a video Success Story about Seth and Ryan, click here. See other Success Stories from Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties by clicking here.
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JOB SEARCH TIP OF THE MONTH | |
"Keep Track of the Jobs You Apply to" | |
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When you're actively looking for new work, you may send out dozens of applications and resumes. Be sure to track which positions/employers you apply to and when. This way, you won't accidentally apply to a job more than once.
It also will help you to remember when to follow up with an employer to inquire about their hiring timeline!
For help with job searches and updating your resume, schedule an appointment with one of our Talent Specialists today. To find the service center nearest you, visit MWWC.org/Contact-Us.
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For the past two years, we have shifted our annual MiCareerQuest West Central event to a virtual format due to the pandemic.
This year, we are excited and committed to returning to an in-person event to bring hands-on career exploration to more than 1,000 ninth graders from across our region! We have been in contact with the team at Ferris State University to schedule the event, and we are tentatively set for early May! We will share more details once they are finalized, so stay tuned!
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We work hard at Michigan Works! West Central, but we know how to relax, too. Our service centers were closed Dec. 16, for our annual professional development training and ugly-sweater luncheon.
After we learned a bit on how to improve our services, we spent the afternoon enjoying treats and team-building activities! Here are some photos of our fun-filled day.
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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 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. |
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