Business groups lobby lawmakers, governor to create state-funded college scholarships

Several major statewide and local business groups are supporting a legislative proposal to award state-funded college scholarships to 2022 high school graduates, saying it would help deal with workforce and talent shortages.

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship program would give students attending in-state four-year universities and colleges up to $6,000 a year, while those at in-state community colleges or private occupational schools could qualify for up to $3,000 annually. More than three-quarters of this year's graduating class would be eligible.

The Republican-controlled Senate backed the $361 million initiative in its budget plan, with a goal of continuing the program into future years. Talks continue among leaders in the Senate, GOP-led House and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration over tax cuts and spending priorities amid a multibillion-dollar budget surplus.

In a letter to lawmakers and the governor last week, leading business organizations said the scholarship funding would make postsecondary education more affordable and boost the number of people in the talent pipeline. The state's $1.8 billion higher education budget is lower than it was 20 years ago, even without adjusting for inflation.

"We want Michigan to continue to aim to be a Top 10 state for developing talent and attracting and retaining talent. In addition, we want Michigan to be a place for businesses to be proud to make their home. We believe the Michigan Achievement Scholarship funding in the FY 2023 budget will help accomplish this," they wrote.

Groups signing the letter include the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Business Leaders for Michigan, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, National Federation of Independent Business, Home Builders Association of Michigan, Michigan Works! Association and many local chambers of commerce.

The scholarships would cover tuition or mandatory fees not already offset by need-based federal Pell Grants or Michigan's tuition program for Medicaid recipients. The state currently offers tuition-free community college assistance for adults ages 25 and older and frontline pandemic workers.

Michigan Community Colleges, Universities and Hospitals Team Up to Solve the Nursing Shortage

Michigan higher education and healthcare leaders today unveiled a collaborative plan to increase educational options to produce more highly-qualified nurses and address the nursing shortage across the state.

Manistee's Stacie Bytwork named Michigan Works! Association board 2nd vice chair

Stacie Bytwork, president and CEO of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, was recently named second vice chair of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors.

Michigan Works! Association Announces New Board of Directors Member and Makes New Leadership Appointment

The Michigan Works! Association, the state’s primary workforce development association, today announced a new board member and a new second vice chairperson who will each help support the nonprofit’s work to continue to move the needle on policy, education and collaboration on vital workforce development issues.

Amanda Smith, executive vice president of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA), joined the Michigan Works! Association board as a member-at-large.

In addition to serving as the executive vice president of MRLA, Smith also serves as the executive director of the MRLA Educational Foundation and the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan. Working closely with local public health officials, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Smith directs the education programs for the MRLA. As the executive director of the Educational Foundation, Smith has grown revenues by more than 160 percent. She has expanded product offerings, including the 2020 launch of the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. Smith has successfully secured and managed many grant awards and state appropriations. Under her leadership, the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan (HTIM) was launched in 2021. HTIM provides advancement opportunities for incumbent hospitality workers and is licensed as a proprietary school by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

“As the future of workforce development continues to evolve, the Michigan Works! Association, its members, and its board recognize the need to adapt by ensuring the Association has the most inclusive representation possible,” said John Kaczynski, chair of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors. “I am excited to add Amanda to the Association’s board. Her background and expertise in the hospitality industry is extremely valuable to the Board’s dedication to creating opportunity and career pathways for all, supporting the growth of business and industry, and creating innovative, responsive, and successful Michigan Works! network to build the workforce of tomorrow.”

Additionally, current board member Stacie Bytwork, President and CEO of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, was elected to fill the board’s second vice chairperson leadership post that was recently vacated. 

For over seven years, Bytwork has led the Chamber through dynamic and visionary growth and has delivered programming on the needs of Manistee area businesses and the surrounding community. Her most recent accomplishment was the addition of an Economic Development arm to the Chamber to better serve the needs of Manistee County. She also initiated a county-wide leadership program that develops young professionals to be community leaders and assist with workforce retention goals.

“It is an honor to work with Amanda and Stacie to continue creating innovative workforce solutions for Michigan’s businesses and residents,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association.  “These talented leaders will have a positive impact on the way we do business in the future by helping the Association continue as a national leader in advocacy, leadership, training, communication, and collaboration.”

More information about the members of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors can be found on the Association’s website.

Erasing thousands more criminal records could boost Michigan’s economy

Michigan Works, the state’s workforce development association, has helped provide expungement services to 20,000 people since Clean Slate went into effect. Chief Executive Officer Ryan Hundt views expungement as backing Michigan’s workforce, especially as employers scramble to find labor.

“It’s significant investment in ensuring that Michigan’s workforce has the ability to find sustainable employment and also helping our companies be able to look beyond some of these barriers that have been in existence for quite some time,” he said.

Restaurant workers find greener pastures in coding, hairstyling and auto manufacturing

What started as The Great Resignation soon became The Great Realization. Then, The Great Reshuffle. The Great Renegotiation. The Great Upgrade. The Great Rethink.

The terms coined to explain the mass exodus of workers who quit their jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic are aplenty, but the sentiments are the same: American workers are retooling their career standards.

April is Internship Awareness Month

An internship is a good place for students to hone their knowledge base and increase their skillset.

It allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-life situations which solidified their knowledge and improves performance and accuracy in work tasks.

West Michigan Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts

West Michigan Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts  

Lawmakers Celebrate Local Talent, Career Development Efforts in West Michigan 

LANSING, MI (March 24, 2022)— West Michigan talent development and employment successes were among those celebrated by state leaders at the Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards this week. 

Local lawmakers and statewide talent development officials gathered virtually and in-person on Thursday, March 24, to recognize the City of Grand Rapids, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation, as well as West Michigan Works! for implementing a new hiring system that provides equal access to opportunity in employment, while reducing barriers often found in the hiring process.  

The City of Grand Rapids was in search of a new hiring system that would provide equal access to opportunity in employment, while reducing barriers that are often typical in a hiring process. With a strong commitment to fairness and diversity in selection, the city joined HireReach.     

Many organizations face challenges transitioning to a competency-based hiring approach and the city was no exception. They needed to work alongside eight unions and a civil service commission, navigate the requirements of various labor agreements, and manage the challenges inherent in organizational change. 

In 2018, the W.K. Kellogg and Doug & Maria DeVos Foundations funded a three-year program through West Michigan Works! to support employers in adopting HireReach. HireReach combines learning, training, peer learning and consulting support to help organizations adopt a fair and objective hiring process using evidence-based selection (EBS). HireReach provided half-day training workshops, individual consulting support, and ongoing implementation assistance to support the City of Grand Rapids in implementing evidence-based selection. 

Through participating in HireReach, the City of Grand Rapids was able to successfully revamp their hiring process, transitioning from a complex, labor-intensive, and ineffective process to a modern, streamlined, science-based approach. This new hiring process has allowed the city to look at candidates holistically and as a result, candidates who might have been passed over with the previous hiring process are now being realized for their ability to do the job. The City of Grand Rapids is making better hiring decisions and providing employment opportunities for a broader, more diverse group of candidates. 

"With HireReach, we have been able to hire based on competencies using high-quality tools to hire candidates and bring out the best in them, ensuring they are in the right role – which is great for our organization and the candidate,” said Desiree Foster, human resources director, City of Grand Rapids.   

The Impact Awards, hosted by Michigan Works! Association, recognizes the economic development success being achieved in communities across Michigan. During the event, local lawmakers present tributes to dozens of honorees from across the state.   

“The partnership West Michigan Works! has with employers is key to assisting them with their talent pipeline goals,” said Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “The dedication West Michigan Works! has for helping employers makes them a huge asset to our community.”  

Award winners included employers, workers, Michigan Works! organizations, and partners from across the state. 

“The pandemic has increased the number of challenges employers are facing,” said Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids). “The City was facing hiring and retention issues.  I am grateful to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation and West Michigan Works! for the assistance they were able to lend the City of Grand Rapids through HireReach.”  

The Michigan Works! Association is a non-profit membership organization that provides services and support to Michigan’s talent eco-system. For over 30 years, the Association has been the go-to resource for federal, state, and local workforce initiatives.  

“Congratulations to the City of Grand Rapids on winning this prestigious award,” said Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids).  “I am thankful for collaborations like the one between the W.K. Kellogg and Doug & Maria DeVos Foundations and West Michigan Works! that assist employers with their talent needs.” 

The Association’s work ensures top-quality services and support for Michigan’s talent pipeline. For more information, please visit michiganworks.org.  

Find the nearest Michigan Works! American Job Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675). 

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Metro Detroit Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts

Metro Detroit Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts 

Lawmakers Celebrate Local Talent, Career Development Efforts in Metro Detroit 

LANSING, MI (March 24, 2022)— Metro Detroit talent development and employment successes were among those celebrated by state leaders at the Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards this week. 

Local lawmakers and statewide talent development officials gathered virtually, and in-person, on Thursday, March 24 to recognize local resident Taylor Box, The Armored Group, as well as Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works! for offering on-the-job training opportunities to offer in-demand jobs and develop a talent pipeline. 

In the winter of 2017, Justin Skibin, SEMCA Michigan Works! Business Services Professional, sent an email to The Armored Group’s Megan Davis regarding some potential hiring assistance after noting its job openings online. 

The company responded to Skibin’s email right away, contacting him regarding the job openings the company had available and the Michigan Works! Business Services available to them. After recording the company’s job leads, Skibin also notified the company about the On-the-Job Training (OJT) option for its new hires. As a result, the company has participated in six OJT contracts with SEMCA Michigan Works! Livonia office including the most recent contract for Taylor Box, WIOA Dislocated Worker participant.  

During her initial weeks in the OJT, the WIOA Program provided Box with supportive services in the form of gas cards to get to and from the worksite. Though her OJT is complete, and she has successfully been exited from the WIOA program, the company has kept up weekly contact. 

They have also contacted Skibin regularly regarding conveying new job openings and events the company offers. The company has also specified interest in participating in Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Going PRO Talent Fund, and joining virtual job fairs in the future. 

Additionally, networking has proven to be an asset in this relationship, as The Armored Group has referred two other companies to Skibin for potential hiring-related assistance. The relationship with The Armored Group has been great for many reasons and is only aiming to get stronger.  

“The assistance Taylor received from SEMCA Michigan Works! helped him overcome barriers to find a great career opportunity,” said Sen. Betty Jean Alexander (D-Detroit).  “On-the-Job Training is a great tool to provide individuals with the opportunity to prove themselves and earn a full-time career position.” 

The Impact Awards hosted by Michigan Works! Association recognizes the economic development success being achieved in communities across Michigan. During the event, local lawmakers present tributes to dozens of honorees from across the state. 

“The dedication that SEMCA has to ensuring our region’s residents get the services and assistance they need is integral to making our community successful,” said Rep. Tullio Liberati (D-Allen Park). “Taylor’s success story is just one of many that happen everyday thanks to Michigan Works!. Congratulations to everyone receiving this prestigious award!” 

Award winners included employers, workers, Michigan Works! organizations, and partners from across the state. 

“Congratulations to Taylor on winning this great award,” said Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia). “Her wonderful experience with the On-the-Job training she participated in at The Armored Group serves as a great example to other job seekers of the opportunities available in our great state.” 

The Michigan Works! Association is a non-profit membership organization that provides services and support to Michigan’s talent eco-system. For over 30 years, the Association has been the go-to resource for federal, state, and local workforce initiatives.  

“Kudos to SEMCA Michigan Works! for reaching out to The Armored Group to proactively assist them with their hiring needs,” said Rep. Rajeev Puri (D-Canton). “The services Michigan Works! offers to both employers and job seekers is key to continuing to develop the talent pipeline in our state.” 

The Association’s work ensures top-quality services and support for Michigan’s talent pipeline. For more information, please visit michiganworks.org.  

Find the nearest Michigan Works! American Job Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1-800) 285-WORKS (9675). 

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Oakland County Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts

Oakland County Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts 

Lawmakers Celebrate Local Talent, Career Development Efforts in Oakland County  

LANSING, MI (March 24, 2022)— Oakland County talent development and employment successes were among those celebrated by state leaders at the Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards this week. 

Local lawmakers and statewide talent development officials gathered virtually, and in-person, on Thursday, March 24 to recognize local resident Arin Minasian, Robert Bosch, LLC, U.S. Department of Labor, as well as Oakland County Michigan Works! for developing an apprenticeship in a high-demand field creating opportunities for growth. 

Oakland County Michigan Works! is proud to partner with Robert Bosch, LLC to create an Application Developer Registered Apprenticeship program. As a leading and innovative employer in Oakland County, Robert Bosch is leading the way in talent development by investing in apprenticeship to create a skilled, qualified workforce for the future. The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services that employs roughly 394,500 associates worldwide. 

The apprenticeship program lasts approximately 12 months and is a competency-based learning program. In the program, apprentices are required to complete specific learning hours and on-the-job training that has been outlined to ensure they are developing the skills and competencies essential to the role as an Application Developer.  

They can learn and grow in a professional environment with real-world project work, job shadowing, intensive training, and exclusive mentoring. At the end of the program, apprentices who satisfy the program criteria are invited to join one of the mobility solutions divisions where they can continue to grow, develop, and contribute as a valuable team member. 

Bosch launched this apprenticeship to address their talent gap and build a pipeline for their organization. They pursued talent not based upon education but on the skills, interests, and abilities of the individual to succeed in the industry. The mentoring program they have developed is outstanding! 

Since 2020, Oakland County Michigan Works! Southfield supported nine apprenticeships with On-the-Job Training and four more are under development. 

"We supported this employer because of their apprenticeship model and the need for Application/Software Developers,” said Oakland County Michigan Works! director Jennifer Llewellyn. “With this new apprenticeship, Bosch intended to hire individuals with little to no experience and give them the opportunity to gain skills in such a high-demand field with opportunity for growth.” 

Arin Minasian, who had been working in home health care, was looking to begin a new career in software development. His interest in the software development field was so strong that he took a bootcamp course to gain skills in the field. 

Minasian learned about the apprenticeship program and applied for it while living in California. When Bosch offered him the apprenticeship, he moved to Michigan while his wife stayed in California. Minasian was excited to begin the apprenticeship and a new life in Michigan! 

Unfortunately, he did not have transportation when he first moved to Michigan, so Oakland County Michigan Works! Southfield purchased a bicycle for him to make his five-mile trek to work. The bike allowed him freedom to explore his new neighborhood and get to work. Minasian had completed his apprenticeship and recently graduated. Additionally, he and his wife bought a home in Oakland County. 

Award winners included employers, workers, Michigan Works! organizations, and partners from across the state. 

“I am pleased to see community partners collaborating to bring talent and economic prosperity to our region and commend Arin on his accomplishments that led to this award,” said Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). “The daily effort Oakland County Michigan Works! puts into coordinating with local employers and other partners makes all the difference in talent development in this area.” 

The Michigan Works! Association is a non-profit membership organization that provides services and support to Michigan’s talent eco-system. For over 30 years, the Association has been the go-to resource for federal, state, and local workforce initiatives. 

“Congratulations to Arin on winning this prestigious award,” said Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills). “I would like to thank Robert Bosch, LLC for developing the Application Developer Registered Apprenticeship program, providing opportunities to Michigan residents to gain on-the-job training that leads to a good-paying, meaningful career.”  

The Association’s work ensures top-quality services and support for Michigan’s talent pipeline. For more information, please visit michiganworks.org.  

Find the nearest Michigan Works! American Job Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1-800) 285-WORKS (9675). 

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