News and Success Stories

To most people, laser assisted machining, or LAM, sounds extremely complicated; add an ultra-precision lathe to that, and it sounds like something from a science-fiction movie. However, it is all very real, and is happening right here in Southwest Michigan at a company called Micro-LAM. Micro-LAM participates in the ultra-precision optics market by not only supporting the manufacturing of ultra precision optics, but by manufacturing capital equipment as well…

Meet Lynn Page, Business Solutions Coordinator for Michigan Works! Southwest and Shining Star for January! Lynn has hit the ground running in 2024. Through doing incredible research into how employers and job seekers can utilize the MiREACH grant, she has identified ways to connect them to this resource. Lynn has taken on several speaking engagements…

The phrase “it takes a village” usually applies to raising children, but Donovan McVey and Joshua Gray are taking the unique approach of applying that to new local businesses. McVey and Gray are co-founders of the business consulting firm Room 35 in Kalamazoo, which focuses on sustained accelerated growth for construction companies…

Meet Shawn DeYoung, December’s Shining Star! Shawn is a strong advocate in the community for Michigan Works! Southwest and is dedicated to building deep relationships with local employers. Through heartfelt and meaningful actions, Shawn continually goes above and beyond to serve employer customers! Shawn is thoughtful in all the work he does as a member…

LANSING, Mich. — Four Battle Creek employers earned honors Wednesday in a ceremony following a roundtable discussion at Kellogg Community College aimed at recruiting more area businesses to offer Registered Apprenticeships to build the local talent pipeline.

Michigan Works! Southwest is pleased to announce the digital publication of the 2023 Annual Report! The past year was filled with many achievements and successes as Michigan Works! Southwest worked wholeheartedly to prepare a qualified workforce to meet the current and emerging needs of business and industry and foster collaborative partnerships to empower a compassionate,…

The Michigan Works! Southwest team extends our congratulations to our director, Jakki Bungart-Bibb, on being awarded the Christine Quinn Excellence in Leadership Award at the Michigan Works! Annual Conference on September 11, 2023! Christine Quinn was a champion for Michigan’s workforce in the U.S. Department of Labor and was a strong advocate for the system…

Michigan Works! Southwest wishes to extend our congratulations to Barb Travis on receiving the Michigan Works! Association Annual Shining Star Award for our Michigan Works! Area! The Michigan Works! Association’s Annual Shining Star Award Celebrates Michigan Works! Agency front line staff who, through dedication and outstanding contributions to workforce development, personifies the Michigan Works! mission.…

Congratulations to Amanda Rosenberg, Michigan Works! Southwest’s Planning and Policy Administrator, on receiving her Local Labor Market Information User Certification! Amanda earned this certification through a three-day labor market information (LMI) training developed by the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, which trained her in how to use LMI to transform the…

Michigan Works! means more skills, more opportunities and more money! Whether you’re a first-time job seeker, switching careers, looking to gain new skills to advance in your career, a veteran or a justice-involved individual, we can help you find what you’re looking for — our job is to find you the best job! Michigan Works!…

Betsy is an Employer Resource Network® (ERN) Success Coach. She is detailed, team and customer focused employee, who customers feel safe with, resulting in her ability to form long-lasting relationships with those she serves, which is imperative when addressing barriers to employment. Betsy is a tremendous support to the ERN® success coach team, even while…

Devon is a Career Navigator in the Kalamazoo County Service Center. He continually goes above and beyond in his role, ensuring customers receive top quality service and attention with a cool and calm presence. Devon displays great flexibility and attention to detail as well as providing exceptional customer service to all job seekers. When the…