EMPLOYERS

Talent awaits.

JOB SEEKERS

Opportunity knocks.

West Michigan Works!

West Michigan Works! is part of the statewide Michigan Works! system, serving the employers and job seekers of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

In partnership with employers, educators, economic developers and community organizations, we work to create a qualified workforce that meets our region’s current and future talent needs and fuels our shared economic future.

Learn More

OUR COMMITMENT

The series of recent events highlighting the routine and perpetual inequities that people of color continue to face have reignited new frustrations about the lack of progress we’ve made in changing systems that perpetuate prejudice, bias and inequity.

The Essential Service Awards honor hardworking service workers in our community.

The people we encounter throughout our day have the ability to improve our lives one interaction at a time. Their jobs are essential to West Michigan. Each day these individuals, whether on the front line or behind the scenes, complete tasks that allow our community to thrive. And in 2020, frontline workers became even more essential to keeping our economy running!

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Essential Service Awards. Click the Let’s Go button below to submit a nomination.

Winners announced in March!

Let's go

Thank you, Frontliners!

Futures for Frontliners is a state scholarship program for Michiganders without college degrees who worked in essential industries during the state COVID-19 shutdown in spring 2020 (April 1 – June 30). This scholarship provides these frontline workers with tuition-free access to local community college to pursue an associate degree or a skills certificate, either full-time or part-time while you work.

Learn More

Be Counted 2020

April 1, 2020 was Census Day in the U.S., but there is still time to complete this year’s census questionnaire! The census is an important process that helps determine our representation in all levels of government and how much federal funding goes to our communities. In fact, Michigan stands to lose $18,000 per person over the next 10 years due to an inaccurate count.

Everyone can do their part by completing the census questionnaire accurately and completely. Get started!

Learn More

Join our Team!

West Michigan Works! is looking for individuals to join our team. We offer generous benefits including:

Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
Vacation & Sick Time

Medical, Dental & Vision
Life Insurance
Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Insurance
Pension Benefits

Current Job Openings

Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program

The West Michigan Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program (MARAP) combines classroom learning, simulation learning and work experience with a participating healthcare provider. As a student in this one-year program, you will:

immediately apply your classroom learning to a clinical setting

earn a wage while learning the skills to be successful in a high-demand career

graduate with a Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion,
a certificate of completion of apprenticeship from the
US Department of Labor and qualify to earn a national
industry-recognized credential

Learn more

West Michigan's Hot Jobs! List

100

NUMBER OF HIGH-DEMAND JOBS

5

FASTEST-GROWING INDUSTRIES

$13 - $89

AVG STARTING SALARY RANGE

SEE THE LIST

West Michigan Post

A leading news source for West Michigan’s work force.

Innovation & Flexibility Drive Success in 2020

How West Michigan Works! Pivoted to Make an Impact in 2020 The year 2020 started out with unemployment at a historical low—around 3%. In the blink of an eye, COVID-19 wiped out an entire decade of economic recovery from the last recession. Businesses shut down, and we found ourselves back [...]

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with injured boy

Become an Emergency Medical Technician

Get Started on the Path to a Life-Changing, Life-Saving Career Are you looking for a career that will make a difference in the lives of others? Or are you interested in a medical career but not sure how to get started? A group of Barry County organizations have teamed up to offer Basic EMT training along with additional services, like financial aid and job placement assistance, for students. Emergency [...]

Partner of the Year: Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center

Congratulations to ACATEC, our 2020 Partner of the Year West Michigan Works! recognizes Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center (ACATEC) as its 2020 Partner of the Year for their commitment to providing accessible vocational training opportunities in Allegan County.   ACATEC has been and continues to be a primary partner in Allegan County, working [...]

VIEW ALL

Sign Up for WORKSmart

WORKSmart is a quarterly email with workforce development news, notifications of funding opportunities, job fairs, seminars and other resources for employers. View past issues >

Coming Soon! Industry talent council newsletters with regular updates from our region’s high-demand industries.

Sign Up for the Weekly Hot Jobs!

The Weekly Hot Jobs! delivers current employment opportunities and hiring event information straight to your inbox each week.

Name*
First Last
Email*
County of Residence
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.