Spotlight on West Michigan's High-Demand Industries
Join us we shine a light on West Michigan’s high-demand industries: advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, construction,
health care, and information technology.
Participate in a job fair, learn more about careers in West Michigan and check out resources by clicking on the tabs below.
We’d love to help you explore training and career opportunities in West Michigan’s high-demand industries. Give us a call at 800-285-WORKS (9675) or submit the form below to meet with a career expert!
- Health Care Feb. 22-25
- Construction Mar. 8-12
- Agribusiness Mar. 22-26
- Information Technology Mar. 22-26
- Manufacturing Apr. 5-9
Spotlight on Health Care: February 22-26
The week will feature a job fair specifically for health care employers, a segment on WZZM, a video focused on the industry in West Michigan, and events and resources for job seekers. This is a great opportunity to learn about great careers and opportunities in health care.
EVENTS
WEBINAR: Benefits and Opportunities in Health Care (registration closed)
Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Hear from education and health care providers about the benefits of working in the industry and how to take your first step to a great career.
Panelists:
– Nicole Smith, career development services manager, Saint Mary’s Mercy Health
– Steven Smith, senior talent acquisition specialist, Metro Health University of Michigan Health
– Doug Himmelein, VP of human resources, Holland Home
– Linda Witte, program director, Grand Rapids Community College
HEALTH CARE JOB FAIR (registration closed)
Feb. 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Register for 15-minute phone conversations with health care employers with immediate openings. Registration begins Monday, February 15. You can register and view participating employers and postings here.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE
West Michigan Health Careers Council members talk with Catherine Berhrendt on The Exchange about the wealth and variety of career options in West Michigan’s health care industry. Watch now >
Learn more about the diverse opportunities available in the health care industry from the West Michigan Health Careers Council.
SUCCESS STORIES
RESOURCES
Interested in learning more about careers in health care? Check out these resources:
- Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program
(Get started on a health care career with little to no debt! Application period is open.) - National Resources for Health Career Education
- Mercy Health Career Development Center
Spotlight on Construction: March 8 -12
The week will feature a job fair specifically for construction employers, a segment on WZZM, a video focused on the industry in West Michigan, and events and resources for job seekers. This is a great opportunity to learn about great careers and opportunities in construction.
EVENTS
CONSTRUCTION JOB FAIR (registration is closed)
March 11, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Register for 15-minute phone conversations with construction employers with immediate openings. Registration begins Thursday, February 25. You can register and view participating employers and postings here.
CONSTRUCTION JOBS ARE HOT IN WEST MICHIGAN
Check out our Hot Jobs List that showcases the construction industry’s fastest-growing and most in-demand jobs.
Find current job openings in the Pure Michigan Talent Connect job opening database. Visit mitalent.org and use keyword “construction” in your job search.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION
Build Your Future: Construction is more than a job. It is a high-demand career with high salaries and potential. Take a second look at the construction industry>
Michigan Construction Careers: Michigan’s construction industry is one of the most diverse and interesting, especially for people who love being able to watch the actual fruits of their labors grow before their eyes. Get a high-level look at what Michigan’s construction industry has to offer>
Spotlight on Agribusiness: March 22 - 26
The week will feature a job fair specifically for agribusiness employers, a segment on WZZM, a video focused on the industry in West Michigan, and events and resources for job seekers. This is a great opportunity to learn about great careers and opportunities in agribusiness.
Events
AGRIBUSINESS JOB FAIR (registration now closed)
March 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This virtual job fair will take place online where you can discuss your skills and qualifications with hiring managers over video chat. You can register and view participating employers here.
INSTITUTION OF AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY (IAT) AT MSU CAREER EXPLORATION
As part of Agribusiness Spotlight Week, the Agribusiness Talent Council is supporting these live career exploration workshops.
Register for any of the workshops here>
Grow Your Future: The IAT in your backyard
Monday, March 15 | 6:30 p.m.
Agribusiness: Michigan’s 104 billion dollar industry
Wednesday, March 17 | 6:30 p.m.
Landscape Management: A career you can really dig
Monday, March 22 | 6:30 p.m.
Forestry: A career to take you to new heights
Monday, March 22 | 6:30 p.m.
Agricultural Operations: Cultivating careers that feed the world
Wednesday, March 24 | 6:30 p.m.
Go Green with a Fruitful Career in Fruit, Vegetable, or Viticulture Production
Thursday, March 25 | 6:30 p.m.
Agribusiness Jobs are Hot in West Michigan
Check out our Hot Jobs List that showcases the fastest-growing and most in-demand jobs. Occupations also in demand in the agriculture industry are distinguished with a yellow square.
Learn More About Careers in Agribusiness
Did you know?
The agriculture industry, including farming and food production, accounts for nearly 26,000 jobs and $300 million in labor income in the region.
West Michigan Tech Talent and Agribusiness Talent Council members talk with Catherine Berhrendt on The Exchange about the wealth and variety of career options in West Michigan’s IT and Agribusiness industries. Watch now >
Learn more about the diverse opportunities available in the agribusiness industry from the Agribusiness Talent Council.
Spotlight on Information Technology: March 22 - 26
The week will feature a networking event to connect local IT professionals and employers, a segment on WZZM, a video focused on the industry in West Michigan, and events and resources for job seekers. This is a great opportunity to learn about great careers and opportunities in IT.
Events
IT’s HAPPENING IN WEST MICHIGAN
Thursday, March 25, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Join us for a free, virtual networking event for IT professionals to meet local employers and learn about career opportunities. Register here>
IT Jobs are hot in West Michigan
Check out our Hot Jobs List that showcases the fastest-growing and most in-demand IT jobs in West Michigan.
Learn More about IT Careers
CAREER EXPLORATION
Computers are everywhere! Understanding how computers work is not just for techies, but for everyone. Students at all grade levels need to develop introductory skills in computer science. These skills will help them prepare for the future and open doors to in-demand careers in West Michigan. West Michigan Tech Talent has curated a number of great resources that will help learners of all ages begin to explore computer science basics!
West Michigan Tech Talent and Agribusiness Talent Council members talk with Catherine Berhrendt on The Exchange about the wealth and variety of career options in West Michigan’s IT and Agribusiness industries. Watch now >
Learn more about the diverse opportunities available in the IT industry from West Michigan Tech Talent.
Spotlight on Manufacturing: April 5-9
The week will feature a job fair specifically for manufacturing employers, a segment on WZZM, a video focused on the industry in West Michigan, and events and resources for job seekers. This is a great opportunity to learn about great careers and opportunities in manufacturing.
Events
MANUFACTURING VIRTUAL JOB FAIR
Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Register for 15-minute phone conversations with manufacturing employers that have immediate openings. Registration begins Monday, March 29. Register and view participating employers and job postings.
Manufacturing Jobs are hot in West Michigan
Check out our Hot Jobs List that showcases the fastest-growing and most in-demand manufacturing jobs in West Michigan.
Learn More About Careers in Manufacturing
Did you know there are 630,000 manufacturing employees in Michigan with an average annual compensation of $79,320?

Discover Manufacturing members talk with Catherine Berhrendt on The Exchange about the wealth and variety of career options in West Michigan’s manufacturing industry. Watch now >
Learn more about the diverse opportunities available in the manufacturing industry from Discover Manufacturing.
Learn more about the industry with Discover Manufacturing’s spotlight videos, featuring a variety of West Michigan manufacturers!