West Michigan Frontline Workers Recognized for Exceptional Service
More than 500 business leaders gathered at The Economic Club of Grand Rapids on February 23 as West Michigan Works! honored six frontline workers with the 2025 Beverly A. Drake …
Jobseeker earns CNA position, overcoming health-related struggles
Michael came to West Michigan Works! with aspirations of joining the healthcare industry as a CNA (certified nurse assistant) — a story just like so many others who visit our service centers. Despite significant barriers, his perseverance proved that it is …
New Site Makes Exploring Future Careers Easier Than Ever
West Michigan Works! has launched the Career Exploration Events website to help students, their parents and guardians, and teachers easily access upcoming career exploration events across the region. The tool, developed as an initiative of the West Michigan Works! Industry Talent Councils, is designed to be a centralized resource for connecting …
West Michigan Tech Talent welcomes two new members
West Michigan Tech Talent (WMTT), a regional industry talent council of West Michigan Works! focused on building and promoting a robust technology talent pipeline, has appointed two new members: Kristy Loughin-Vance, …
West Michigan Employers Secure $6.4M to Train and Advance Workforce
West Michigan Works! announced that 100 employers across the region have been awarded $6,417,692.49 in Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF) training dollars for Cycle 1 2026. This is 26% of the statewide allocation and 22% of …
Hundreds of West Michigan Elementary Students Learn How to Code
Dozens of West Michigan tech professionals are celebrating National Computer Science Education Week Dec. 8–17 by volunteering in third- through fifth-grade classrooms to teach the basics of coding and inspire …
Muskegon R&D Facility Saved Through Public-Private Partnership, Earns Statewide Honor
What began as a workforce development partnership between Mahle Engine Components USA and West Michigan Works! to address talent retention ultimately became a partnership with Hilite International to keep more than 30 high-skilled people employed and a Muskegon Heights …
Literacy Meets Job Training to Advance Workforce Readiness
West Michigan Works! has named Literacy Center of West Michigan as its 2025 Partner of the Year. The award recognizes the nonprofit’s commitment to adult literacy, workforce readiness and economic mobility across …
Manufacturer Recognized for Exceptional Workforce Leadership in West Michigan
West Michigan Works! has named Bradford White as its 2025 Employer of the Year, recognizing the company’s outstanding leadership in workforce development, commitment to U.S. manufacturing and long-standing investment in …
Race 2 Talent™ event celebrates innovation in workforce development
More than 40 educators, business leaders, apprentices, and workforce development professionals gathered for Race 2 Talent™ at the Kent ISD Conference Center, the hum of collaboration was unmistakable on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. This half-day event …