Are You....

Interviewees waiting to meet the interviewer

Employer

Michigan Works! Southwest Certified Business Solutions Professionals are here to meet current and future job recruitment demands for a skilled workforce. Michigan Works! Southwest has access to talent in Southwest Michigan and can help you find qualified job applicants that match your unique employment needs. Our goal is to build mutually beneficial relationships to assist in job postings, accepting applications, organizing job fairs, and facilitating on-the-job training. These partnerships allow us to give second chances to in-need applicants, and to help fill positions for qualified job applicants.

A smiling job seeker shakes hands with his new employer

Job Seeker

Michigan Works! Southwest is here to provide the resources you need for your career exploration and job search and supply the motivation to find a job that’s right for you. Michigan Works! Southwest staff meet you where you’re at in your job search; whether you’re unemployed and looking for immediate employment, or underemployed and interested in programs to grow your job skills, Michigan Works! Southwest wants to help you succeed.

We Are:

Customer Centered, Integrity Driven, Dedicated to Excellence, Collaborators, and Innovative Problem Solvers

What We Do:

Prepare a qualified workforce to meet the current and emerging needs of business and industry, through data driven decision making.

How We Will Succeed:

Fostering collaborative partnerships and empowering a compassionate, respectful, and knowledgeable team dedicated to continuous improvement.

Why We Exist:

To create meaningful transformation in the people, businesses, and communities we serve.

Upcoming Events

News and Success Stories

Apprenticeship Impact: A Touch of Home Builds a Stronger Early Childhood Workforce

A Touch of Home is an early childhood education provider in the Kalamazoo area dedicated to providing high-quality, relationship-centered care and education for children from infancy through preschool. The program focuses on learning through play, whole-child development, family partnerships, and individualized support for families. As a 2023 State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) awardee supported by Michigan Works! Southwest, A Touch of Home was able to support employee through an apprenticeship pathway leading to the Child Development…

Building Talent Through Registered Apprenticeships

Michigan Works! Southwest recently welcomed local employers and workforce development leaders to its Calhoun County Service Center in Battle Creek for a Race to Talent™ event focused on the benefits and opportunities of Registered Apprenticeship programs. The event gave employers an opportunity to learn how Registered Apprenticeships can help businesses develop skilled talent, strengthen their workforce and create career pathways for employees. Participants also learned about resources and support available to businesses interested in launching…

Shining Star Spotlight: Shannon Yarbrough, June 2026

Michigan Works! Southwest is proud to recognize Shannon Yarbrough as the June 2026 Shining Star Award recipient for her exceptional dedication to serving employers, commitment to customer service, and willingness to support her colleagues. As the Going PRO Talent Fund Coordinator on the Business Solutions team, Shannon consistently goes above and beyond to ensure employers feel supported throughout the Going PRO Talent Fund process. Her patience, kindness, and exceptional attention to detail help create positive…

A Special Future in the Trades: Callen’s Journey with MWSW

When Callen enrolled in the Michigan Works! Southwest Young Professionals Plus Program in December 2024, he was eager to begin building his future. Like many young adults preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, he knew he wanted a career and a sense of independence, but he was still figuring out how to get there. At the time, Callen had no previous work experience and lacked many of the employability skills needed to…

Apprenticeship Impact: A Touch of Home Builds a Stronger Early Childhood Workforce

A Touch of Home is an early childhood education provider in the Kalamazoo area dedicated to providing high-quality, relationship-centered care and education for children from infancy through preschool. The program focuses on learning through play, whole-child development, family partnerships, and individualized support for families. As a 2023 State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) awardee supported by Michigan Works! Southwest, A Touch of Home was able to support employee through an apprenticeship pathway leading to the Child Development…

Building Talent Through Registered Apprenticeships

Michigan Works! Southwest recently welcomed local employers and workforce development leaders to its Calhoun County Service Center in Battle Creek for a Race to Talent™ event focused on the benefits and opportunities of Registered Apprenticeship programs. The event gave employers an opportunity to learn how Registered Apprenticeships can help businesses develop skilled talent, strengthen their workforce and create career pathways for employees. Participants also learned about resources and support available to businesses interested in launching…

Shining Star Spotlight: Shannon Yarbrough, June 2026

Michigan Works! Southwest is proud to recognize Shannon Yarbrough as the June 2026 Shining Star Award recipient for her exceptional dedication to serving employers, commitment to customer service, and willingness to support her colleagues. As the Going PRO Talent Fund Coordinator on the Business Solutions team, Shannon consistently goes above and beyond to ensure employers feel supported throughout the Going PRO Talent Fund process. Her patience, kindness, and exceptional attention to detail help create positive…

A Special Future in the Trades: Callen’s Journey with MWSW

When Callen enrolled in the Michigan Works! Southwest Young Professionals Plus Program in December 2024, he was eager to begin building his future. Like many young adults preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, he knew he wanted a career and a sense of independence, but he was still figuring out how to get there. At the time, Callen had no previous work experience and lacked many of the employability skills needed to…

A proud partner of the American Job Center network.

An equal opportunity employer / program supported by the State of Michigan. 1-800-285-WORK (9675).
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. Dial 711 Relay Center and TTY. Supported in part with state and/or federal funds.