Continuing Industrial Education

Michigan Works! Association has a history of innovation to provide service and support to the Michigan workforce development system, and is an integral partner in the state’s economic future. Services include screening and hiring programs, on-the-job training funds, worker opportunity tax credits and ongoing training strategies. Connect with Michigan Works Southwest online.

Our regional Michigan Works! office connects people who need jobs with companies who need to fill jobs throughout the state. Funded by state and federal governments through the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, Michigan Works! is a free service to both employers and job seekers. Services include screening and hiring programs, on-the-job training funds, Worker Opportunity Tax Credits and ongoing training strategies. Marshall is part of Michigan Works! Southwest, serving Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties.

Connect With Michigan Works

Advanced Manufacturing Career Consortium

With the lack of qualified candidates to fill entry-level, technician-level and engineering job openings in Southwest Michigan, the Advanced Manufacturing Career Consortium formed in 2011. Today, 158 local manufacturing companies and 17 service provider organizations are invited to meet quarterly to discuss and develop innovative and integrated strategies to address this crucial issue, including on-the-job training, apprenticeships, career advancement, and payment of education.

Continuous Improvement Users Group

The Continuous Improvement Users Group is a collaboration of Southwest Michigan companies dedicated to sharing best practices and seeking ideas to improve efficiency and productivity. Continuous Improvement, Total Production Management, Six Sigma and other lean practitioners network on a monthly basis either through tours of best practice or topical discussions. Express your interest to learn more here.

Apprenticeship.gov is the one-stop source to connect career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship resources. It features apprenticeships across industries, information about programs started by employers, and ways to become an apprentice.

Michigan Works and Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA), along with the Calhoun County Intermediate School District, have State Apprenticeship Expansion grant funding to assist with out-of-school and in-school youth pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship funding. Kellogg Community College has information about apprenticeships and related opportunities on its website.

NN/Autocam partners with local schools to provide apprenticeships and cooperative education paths for students interested in machining, manufacturing, and maintenance roles. It operates in various forms based on the partner school and the site, but structurally each gives participants an opportunity to earn technical course credits or a degree while they work. This “learning in context” provides a variety of options to help employees develop technical skills through a combination of academic and on-the-job experiences. More information is available online and in the video below.