NEWS

Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24 Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24

Upper Peninsula business celebrated at Michigan Capitol for the 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards

LANSING- State leaders this week recognized the economic achievements of the Mackinac Straits Health System at the 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards at the Michigan Capitol.

“The Impact Awards showcase the impressive workforce development achievements that take place in partnership with the Michigan Works!’ network each year,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of Michigan Works! Association. “These successes reinforce the role our network plays in transforming our workforce and the lives of Michiganders. Congratulations to all the honorees!”

Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! nominated The Mackinac Straits Health System (MSHS) for creating a Certified Medical Assistant apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship is a two-year, competency-based program. Each apprentice is required to display proficiency in varying skills and attend 482 hours of Related Technical Instruction (RTI). Upon completion of the RTI, apprentices are eligible to sit for different certifications. To date, MSHS has enrolled six apprentices, is working with their second cohort, and has a waiting list for future cohorts.

The Impact Awards, held April 17th, celebrated the economic impact of newly created jobs, transformational training, and effective talent pipeline development within our communities. Honorees from across the state received awards highlighted by their local lawmakers and state workforce development officials.

Employers and job seekers can find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675).

About Michigan Works!: Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's workforce development system. For more information, please visit www.michiganworks.org.

Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24 Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24

Flint/Saginaw organizations and employees celebrated at Michigan Capitol for the 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards

LANSING- State leaders this week recognized the economic achievements of local businesses and their employees 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards at the Michigan Capitol. Mid-Michigan honorees included Kapex Manufacturing LLC headquartered in Saginaw, and the City of Flint Police Department in Flint.

Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! nominated Kapex Manufacturing LLC for their assistance for over 10 years in providing support to their talent recruitment and retention needs, including being a work site for GLBMW’s Youth Program.

Kapex employee Jeremy Lutze was honored for continuously showing initiative and having a positive impact on those around him as he worked with the Young Professionals Program.

GST Michigan Works! (GSTMW) nominated The City of Flint Police for their partnership which continuously boosts recruitment of new officers. Through this partnership, they were able to create a unique hiring event organized to take place at GSTMW Fenton Service Center.

Now homicide detective, LaShabriane Kelly is an example of a success story through collaboration. She was nominated for her hard work, and highlighted the transformative journey from fear to resilience, ultimately achieving her goal of becoming a detective.

Employers and job seekers can find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675).

Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24 Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24

West Michigan businesses, employees celebrated at Michigan Capitol for the Michigan Works! Impact Awards

LANSING- State leaders this week recognized the economic achievements of West and Southwest Michigan businesses and their employees 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards at the Michigan Capitol. The honorees included Hi-Tech Electric Company, headquartered in Portage, C5 Electric LLC in Paw Paw, and Walters Gardens in Zeeland.

Michigan Works! Southwest nominated Hi-Tech Electric Company for implementing apprenticeship training programs that foster continuous learning, promoting innovation and knowledge within the organization. Hi-Tech employee Austin Edwards joined Hi-Tech Electric through an apprenticeship training program to further advance his career. He was honored for the tremendous strides made in all aspects of his development since starting at the company.

Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren nominated C5 Electric LLC for their profound influence in shaping the landscape of electrical services, setting a benchmark for excellence, and inspiring others to aspire for greatness. Their proactive initiation of apprenticeships demonstrates their commitment to nurturing talent and meeting market needs. Brian Dudasko became an apprentice at C5 Electric in looking for a more fulfilling and successful future for his family. He was nominated for hard work, dedication, and success.

West Michigan Works! nominated Walters Gardens in Zeeland for being a leader in employing refugees through the agency’s Work Experience Program. The company has been instrumental in developing a sustainable agribusiness talent pipeline in West Michigan. Walters Gardens employee Kira Malinina came to Michigan after fleeing the war in Ukraine and West Michigan Works! helped her integrate and begin a new life in Michigan. The agency connected her with Walters Gardens and she quickly earned a permanent position due to her strong work ethic.

Employers and job seekers can find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675).

Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24 Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24

Lansing/Cement City businesses, employees celebrated at Michigan Capitol for Michigan Works! Impact Awards

LANSING- State leaders this week recognized the economic achievements of Michigan businesses and their employees 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards at the Michigan Capitol. Honorees from Mid-Michigan and South Central Michigan included The Woodbridge Group, headquartered in Lansing, and Ross Design in Cement City.

Capital Area Michigan Works! nominated The Woodbridge Group for their work to enhance talent attraction, retention, and development, by engaging with the Business Services Team for recruitment services and the Business Resource Network (BRN) to implement strategies for increasing employee retention.

Woodbridge Group employee Jessica Graff, who hired into the company as a laborer and is now a Team Lead, was honored for working with her Business Resource Coach to find mental health support, improving her budgeting and financial literacy skills.

Michigan Works! Southeast nominated Ross Design™ for working to leverage grant dollars and utilize Michigan Works! services to strengthen the company.

Ross Design employee Oleksii (Alex) Schendryhin, refugee from Ukraine, was hired after receiving high scores on his evaluation after completion of a Work Experience Placement (WEP). He was honored for his success, as well as the company’s, as a Business Services Coordinator and MWSE helped him get a chance at his first job in America.

Employers and job seekers can find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675).

About Michigan Works! Association: Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's workforce development system. For more information, please visit www.michiganworks.org.

Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24 Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24

Grand Traverse, Crawford, and Roscommon County businesses, employees celebrated at Michigan Capitol for the Michigan Works! Impact Awards

LANSING- State leaders this week recognized the economic achievements of Michigan businesses and their employees 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards at the Michigan Capitol. The Northern Michigan honorees included Roscommon County Road Commission headquartered in Prudenville, River House, Inc. in Grayling, and TentCraft in Traverse City.

Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium nominated the Roscommon County Road Commission for their Summer Apprentice Program that made it possible for apprentices to work on road projects throughout the area.

Lou Tomma became an apprentice at the Roscommon County Road Commission, and it was life-changing for him. Michigan Works! Region 7B’s Roscommon County Service Center assisted him in getting his CDL-A. He was honored for persevering through roadblocks and received his certificate in January 2023.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium nominated River House, Inc., a nonprofit agency that serves victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, for continuously helping employees achieve their goals. River House Thrift Store employee Aubrey Zawacky was facing many barriers when she began working with the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium team. With guidance and encouragement from her Michigan Works! Career Advisors, Aubrey made steady, continual strides in accomplishing her goals. She was honored for her hard work and focus as she accomplished all her goals.

Northwest Michigan Works! nominated TentCraft, a veteran-owned small business with a tradition of high-quality, innovative American manufacturing based in Traverse City.

After arriving in the U.S. Qayum Qayumi and his spouse, Habiba, sought support from Northwest Michigan Works!. They received essential support, including transportation assistance, during their transition to living in the United States which led to a position as a sewing operator at TentCraft.

Even though he’s happily employed at TentCraft, Qayum remains determined to leverage his technical expertise and eventually start his own business. He even presented his future business, Quick Quality Alterations, at a local small business pitch event, inspiring the audience with his entrepreneurial spirit.

West Central Michigan Works! nominated Foreway Transportation employee Brandon Nowak who overcame obstacles after incarceration. Michigan Works! supported Nowak in obtaining his GED and enrolling in a truck driving training program. He earned his CDL and reached his goal of obtaining a job as a full-time over-the-road driver in July 2023 at Foreway Transportation.

Employers and job seekers can find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675).

Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24 Nikki O'Meara 4/19/24

Southeast Michigan businesses, employees celebrated at Michigan Capitol for the Michigan Works! Impact Awards

LANSING- State leaders this week recognized the economic achievements of Southeast Michigan businesses and their employees at the 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards at the Michigan Capitol. The honorees included Henry Ford Health headquartered in Detroit, Ultraform Industries in Romeo, Three M Tool & Machine in Commerce Charter Township, and Taco John’s in Monroe.

Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) nominated Henry Ford Health for developing initiatives and programs that are responsive to the workforce needs of Detroit’s residents. DESC assisted Charles Simpson in finding a job most suitable for him, as a patient transporter at the hospital. Charles was nominated due to his motivation and drive, which he attributes to Henry Ford Health.

Macomb-St. Clair Michigan Works! nominated Ultraform Industries for its growth to over 100 employees and expanding its training incentives to include a Registered Apprenticeship program. Ultraform employee Jacob Cross was approached about the Tool and Die Apprenticeship Program after displaying a talent for understanding the setups and troubleshooting steps for Ultraform’s vertical forming machines. He was honored for his hard work and dedication to a career opportunity which led him to success.

Oakland County Michigan Works! nominated Three M Tool & Machine for its collaboration in bringing in young talent that has contributed to the growth of the company. Their partnership with Michigan Works! has resulted in thousands of dollars in skilled trades training, which otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Three M Tool & Machine employee Alex Van Den Bremer joined the company as a full-time bench hand upon completing the youth work experience program and was honored for his strong work ethic and willingness to learn right away.

SEMCA Michigan Works! nominated Taco John’s for creating over 30 local jobs and continuously training new team members throughout their partnership with SEMCA. The location in Monroe worked with SEMCA MW Monroe American Job Center to provide job search assistance and internship opportunities for local residents.

Production Team Member Angelica Pittman was a Partnership, Accountability, Training, Hope (PATH) participant at the SEMCA Michigan Works! Monroe American Job Center when she entered the program. She was honored for her display of hard work as she worked directly with a PATH coach to find a job.

Employers and job seekers can find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675).

Nikki O'Meara 6/29/23 Nikki O'Meara 6/29/23

Northwest Michigan Works! director appointed to Michigan Works! Association board

LANSING, Mich. (June 21, 2023) – The Michigan Works! Association today announced the appointment of Northwest Michigan Works Director Jessica Willis to its board of directors.

“Jessica Willis’ tremendous workforce experience will be an asset to the Michigan Works! Association board,” said Ryan Hundt, Michigan Works! Association CEO. “Our board provides critical insight to ensure positive outcomes for job seekers and employers and we are honored to have her join us.”

Before serving as the director of Northwest Michigan Works!, Willis was the
chief program officer for Networks Northwest, and also oversaw the Northwest OS Reentry Services program as the Regional Director of Offender Success. She has worked in nonprofit administration and community development since 2007, and also volunteers with a variety of community-based agencies and nonprofit boards. Willis holds a BA in Sociology from the State University of New York in Buffalo and her Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University.

"I am honored to join the Michigan Works! Association board and represent the workforce needs of communities in Northwest Lower Michigan,” said Willis. “Our network is uniquely positioned to change the lives of Michiganders every day and I look forward to collaborating with the board to continue strengthening the Michigan Works! system.”

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

Nikki O'Meara 10/3/22 Nikki O'Meara 10/3/22

Flint business leader appointed to Michigan Works! Association board

The Michigan Works! Association today announced the appointment of Flint business leader Leanne Panduren of ROWE PSC to its board of directors.

“Leanne Panduren’s tremendous business and workforce experience will be an asset to the Michigan Works! Association board,” said Ryan Hundt, Michigan Works! Association CEO. “Our board provides critical insight to ensure positive outcomes for job seekers and employers and we are honored to have Leanne join us.”

Panduren has been with ROWE since 1994, and currently serves as CEO, President and chair of the board. She is a professional civil engineer by trade and her career has centered around assisting municipalities in completing a wide variety of infrastructure projects.

The Michigan Works! Association’s Board of Directors is a mix of public and private sector representatives who guide the organization and enable it to effectively achieve its mission. The Board is committed to holding the association and its regional Michigan Works! members accountable to the highest possible standards in program delivery. The Board is also committed collaborating effectively with its partners to ensure the best outcomes for its customers.

“After several years serving on the Workforce Development Board for Thumbworks and then GST Michigan Works, I’m very excited to continue my service at the state level and engage with workforce leaders from around the state,” Panduren said.

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Nikki O'Meara 10/3/22 Nikki O'Meara 10/3/22

Northern Michigan workforce development leader appointed to Michigan Works! Association board

The Michigan Works! Association today announced the appointment of Networks Northwest CEO Terry Vandercook to its board of directors.

“Terry Vandercook’s tremendous business and workforce experience will be an asset to the Michigan Works! Association board,” said Ryan Hundt, Michigan Works! Association CEO. “Our board provides critical insight to ensure positive outcomes for job seekers and employers and we are honored to have Terry join us.”

Prior to becoming the Networks Northwest CEO, Vandercook was the operations manager for a local company where he assisted agricultural employers across the country in meeting their workforce needs through the U.S. Department of Labor’s H-2A visa program. He also previously served as chief program officer at Networks Northwest and business development manager for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

"I am truly honored to serve on the Michigan Works! Association Board and represent the workforce, businesses, and communities of Northwest Lower Michigan,” Vandercook said. “I look forward to contributing to the impactful results driving work being done through the board and its collaborative membership."

Vandercook is a Northwest Michigan native and returned to the area with his family after serving a 20 year career in the United States Air Force.

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NEWS

Michigan Works! Association | mwassociation@michiganworks.org