News and Success Stories

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN – On Tuesday, September 10, Michigan Works! Southwest’s Workforce Development Board received the 2024 Board of Excellence Award at the Annual Michigan Works! Conference. The Board of Excellence Award is awarded to one Michigan Works! board each year that exemplifies workforce development efforts in support of state initiatives. To achieve success and positive…

Mike has an unwavering positive attitude, makes numerous creative contributions to his team, and has a passionate commitment to community engagement. His infectious enthusiasm has made a tremendous impact in Calhoun County, where he has played a pivotal role in increasing enrollments into the MiCITY program. Mike has been described as someone who exudes energy…

Allied Mechanical Services, Inc. (AMS) is one of Michigan’s largest and most experienced full-service mechanical contracting firms. To equip and train the next generation of plumbers and pipefitters, AMS established its Department of Labor-certified apprenticeship program in 2004. The apprenticeship is a paid, four-year program that develops apprentices in both the plumbing and pipefitting trades.…

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN – On Thursday, August 15, representatives from Michigan Works! Southwest and the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) gathered for a signing event in which Michigan Works! Southwest officially became an intermediary with the USDOL to hold standards for apprenticeship programs. Michigan Works! Southwest Workforce Development Board members, Brian O’Donnell and Frank Tecumseh,…

Emma brings core expertise to the Adult & Dislocated Worker team at Michigan Works! Southwest, which is an inspiration for her coworkers. She continually demonstrates patience, sincerity, and dedication to her teammates and to customers, and has an excellent eye for detail. She is known to be an active listener in any situation and is…

“A-1 Refrigeration is incredibly grateful to the Michigan Works! Southwest Business Solutions team for assisting with securing funding for our apprenticeship training program. While we do have affiliates for the structure and formalization of our program, we are completely self-funded. This expense is sometimes a burden, but we believe so strongly in homegrown talent that…

Meet Cherise Buchanan, Michigan Works! Southwest Shining Star for June 2024! Cherise is a great leader who is always willing to go out of the way to assist participants and staff alike, including helping three of her team members successfully transition into new positions, which has demonstrated she is incredibly encouraging and supportive of her…

For individuals looking to start a career or advance in a career in manufacturing, Geislinger Corporation might be the answer. Located in Battle Creek, with a sales, service and manufacturing facility supporting North and South America, Geislinger Corporation provides direct sales support, technical and…

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) today announced the recipients of awards totaling $640,000 to provide youth and young adults with career exploration and experience opportunities throughout…

Meet Tommy Moton, Michigan Works! Southwest Shining Star for May 2024! Tommy is committed to high quality performance in every area of his work and has an incredible ability to connect and build relationships with youth. He is honest, authentic, and consistent, and is able to balance being a reliable adult mentor who inspires young…

There are not many better ways to get employed than to already know how to do the job you are applying for. Thanks to the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA), local students are being given the opportunity to do just that, by way of apprenticeships. KRESA manages the Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant…

Meet Aaron Tabb, Michigan Works! Southwest Shining Star for April 2024! Aaron’s passion for his work shines through in his consistent dedication and the quality of his contributions to Michigan Works! Southwest, which includes a proactive attitude and willingness to assist wherever needed. His actions are truly commendable and show great initiative and dedication to…