News and Success Stories

For the first time, in 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online. The process will be quick and secure.

LANSING, MI — The Michigan Works! Impact Awards honor those who’ve built tangible economic results by creating jobs and developing talent in their communities. The yearly event, where the awards are bestowed, brings lawmakers and economic achievers together for a unique look at the work that is transforming Michigan’s economic vitality. This year, Michigan Works! Southwest…

Students encouraged to explore education and career pathways during Career and Technical Education Month  LANSING, MICH. — Career and technical education offers high school students hands-on training that can be applied to real-world, in-demand education, training and career pathways.  With more than 545,000 Michigan job openings through the year 2026, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joins Michigan Department of Labor…

KALAMAZOO, MI (Sep 10, 2019) – The Michigan Works! Association honored FireKeepers Casino Hotel on Tuesday for its commitment to training and developing a pipeline of skilled and competent talent in Michigan. Named the Michigan Works! Association Employer of the Year, FireKeepers received its award at the association’s annual conference in Kalamazoo. “FireKeepers has been…

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Sep 10, 2019) – Jennifer Klempnow of Michigan Works! Southwest was awarded Michigan’s “Shining Star” Award today during the Michigan Works! Association’s Annual Conference in Kalamazoo.

For the fourth consecutive year, Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG), the premier program of Youth Solutions Inc., has achieved the “5-of-5” award, bestowed annually by the national affiliated organization, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG).

At the time of Rexam’s closing in Constantine, Bruce was making $21.50 per hour. He, both a husband and father, was left unsure of what to pursue as a stable career that could support his family. Due to his lay-off, he was referred to Michigan Works! Southwest for services. Staff provided him with

Latonya first visited the Michigan Works! Southwest Service Center in Kalamazoo in October of 2018.

After losing his job as a part-time cashier at the Army base in Battle Creek, Ray began visiting the Michigan Works! Southwest Service Center almost every day, spending hours researching companies and applying for open positions. Though he was hesitant at first to receive one-on-one assistance from

In early May of 2019, the Vision for Prosperity Apprenticeship Readiness Training Program, designed to address the need for skilled workers in construction trades, celebrated the graduation of their first cohort, comprised of 16 individuals from the Kalamazoo area, at a luncheon and graduation ceremony held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 357 Training Center in Schoolcraft.

The Southwest Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is hosting a regional ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to educate companies on how to do business with government purchasers.

Ben Damerow, Michigan Works! Southwest Director, participated on the panel of the 13th Annual Calhoun County Legislative Breakfast.