Get back into the workforce with new skills and knowledge!

West Michigan Works! has training scholarship opportunities available for eligible people who need to upskill or earn a credential to find employment in highdemand industries like health care and manufacturing 

“West Michigan has a variety of options that include opportunities in apprenticeships, onthe job training, certificatesassociate degrees and in some cases, bachelor’s degrees,” said Tasha Evans, policy manager for West Michigan Works!. 

Training Scholarships for High-Demand Occupations

Occupations that are considered highdemand have a 9% or higher rate of growth over the next 10 years and have a starting wage of at least $13.75 an hour. Occupations can be found in these five industry clusters: 

  • Construction/energy   
  • Health sciences   
  • Information technology   
  • Manufacturing   
  • Professional / administrative services  

Some of the occupations that are currently in demand and available for scholarships include: electricians ($26.66*), civil engineers ($37.35*), registered nurses ($31.76*), medical assistants ($16.23*)machine tool setters ($17.65*) and  database administrators ($31.07*). 
*median earnings for the West Michigan area 

To discuss available training options and potential training scholarships, you can contact a West Michigan Works! service center and ask to be connected with a career coach. The career coach will work directly with you to explore career interests, identify transferable skills and assist with career pathway planning and long-term career goals. 

Whether you’re looking for training opportunities, career guidance or help with your job search, West Michigan Works! can provide services tailored to meet your specific needs.  

Please call a service center to schedule an appointment with one of our staff members. Visit our contact page to find the phone number for the location nearest you.