West Michigan Works! and its Agribusiness Talent Council will host an Ag-For-All Job Fair with a focus on inclusive hiring for veterans, returning citizens, individuals with disabilities and refugees. All job seekers are invited to attend the hiring event on March 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the West Michigan Works! SE Service Center, located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. St. SE, Grand Rapids.
“Agribusiness in Michigan is more than traditional farming; it’s a vast and varied field that remains integral to Michigan’s prosperity,” said Jessica VandenBosch, human resources, Dykhuis Farms “The sector encompasses a range of professionals that fuel our communities and economy.”
Agribusiness contributes more than $104 billion annually to the state’s economy. From production to processing and distribution, the industry employs 1 in 5 Michiganders, offering careers across a spectrum from entry-level to advanced degrees in roles essential to bringing food from farms to tables. Kent County alone boasts 51,478 direct jobs with total direct wages of $2.1 billion, generating an economic output of over $8 billion.
In addition to bolstering Michigan’s economy and creating jobs, agribusiness opens up chances for individuals seeking opportunity. The Ag-For-All Job Fair will feature employers of choice actively seeking to enrich their teams with candidates from opportunity populations.
“Our goal is to leverage the potential of these often-underrepresented groups, providing them with meaningful employment opportunities that can transform their lives while filling talent gaps for employers,” said VandenBosch.
The Ag-For-All Job Fair will feature Roskam Baking, SnackCraft, Hortech, JBS and Michigan Turkey Producers. Attendees can explore careers ranging from entry-level production positions, machine operators, and maintenance technicians to electricians and office positions in finance, sales, and human resources.
The agribusiness industry represented 28 out of the 100 high-demand positions in the West Michigan Works! 2023 Hot Jobs Report. These occupations are defined as those with a significant number of open positions in the current job market, are expected to see considerable growth in the next five years and can lead to self-sufficiency through living wages and opportunities for advancement.
