Local Michigan Works! office offers programs for employers, employees

The Grayling Michigan Works! office offers many services for employers and employees, including assistance with an upcoming grant program.

“One of the biggest things we’ve got going now is the Going PRO Talent Fund,” said Alayne Hansen, Michigan Works! Certified Business Solutions Professional.

According to Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, the state has millions of dollars available through the fund for training.

“Training programs funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry. Both for profit and non-profit can apply,” according to Michigan Works!

“Eligible trainings” listed by Michigan Works! for the Going PRO Talent Fund are available in a wide variety of fields, including welding, automotive, medical, food safety, painting, computers, and many more.

The Grayling Michigan Works! office (4595 Salling Drive) will be offering a Going PRO Talent Fund information session from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25. Hansen said the grant application period for the fund is May 1 through May 24.

“Any employer is welcome to come and learn more about the grant and how to apply and some training ideas that they might not know about that they can look into,” Hansen said.

Hansen said local businesses Weyerhaeuser, Springs Window Fashions, and AJD Forest Products received grants through the program last year.

“What we’re really trying to get out in the community is it’s in multiple sectors. Really any business in Grayling would qualify for some kind of training,” Hansen said. “I think there’s a misconception it’s only for industrial.”

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium offers assistance for businesses and employees in other ways, including the Employer of the Day program, which gives employers an opportunity to  conduct “on-site interviews” and sometimes “on-site hiring” during events at the Michigan Works! office, Hansen said.

“You’ll get the chance to meet applicants in person and interview them on the spot. No more waiting for call backs on interviews or sifting through piles of applications and resumes from weeks ago,” according to Michigan Works!

The program offers interview space at the Michigan Works! office, application collection, resume sorting assistance, and social media promotion of open positions, according to Michigan Works!

To schedule an Employer of the Day event at Michigan Works!, contact Hansen at 989.306.7658.

Michigan Works! also offers on the job training salary reimbursements for businesses for qualified employees.

“It’s a really cool program. More people are starting to use that,” Hansen said.

The program also offers reimbursements for qualified new hires with regard to possible “barriers to employment,” including assistance with clothing, auto repairs, and gasoline, Hansen said.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium offers a registered apprenticeship program.

“Apprenticeships offer employers the tools to develop a highly skilled workforce to help grow their business. Apprenticeship offers the apprentice a paid relevant work experience, related classroom instruction, and results in national credentials while sparing them tuition debt,” according to Michigan Works!

Hansen said there is “grant money available” for apprenticeships.

“We can help with getting a new apprenticeship started. We can start with the process and help with that,” Hansen said.

“Apprentices can be current workers or new hires,” according to Michigan Works! “Employers provide on-the-job training by a qualified mentor, while related technical instruction can be completed online, in the classroom, or on the job site depending on employer requirements.”

According to Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, businesses can learn more about the program by contacting Jennifer Coughlin, Apprenticeship Specialist, at 989.306.8589 or CoughlinJ@nemcworks.org.

Michigan Works! offers free alcohol certification training (includes materials and testing), Hansen said.

“That can either be done at the business or Michigan Works!,” Hansen said.

Hansen said Michigan Works! has offered the alcohol program for two years and a lot of people have gone through the training.

“Since I started it, over 100,” Hansen said.

Another restaurant-related offering, ServSafe certification, is available at the Michigan Works! classroom. 

“It’s a full day class,” Hansen said. “There is a cost for materials.”

Employers can reserve the Michigan Works! classroom – it seats up to 25 people – free of charge, Hansen said. To schedule the room for use, call Michigan Works! at 989.348.8709.

Michigan Works! offers programs for job seekers and employees, too.

“We’ve got a lot of really cool programs,” Hansen said.

Currently, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium offers five different workshops for job seekers on Mondays: Basic Computer Skills (9 a.m.), Acing the Interview (10 a.m.), Resume Writing and References (1 p.m.), Online Job Search (2 p.m.), and What Employers Expect from Employees (3:30 p.m.).

The workshops are offered at no cost to the participants.

The Michigan Works! Grayling office also offers free help for employees looking to get a high school diploma or GED on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hansen said the Michigan Works! office is “trying to branch out and provide services” to employers and employees.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium is currently working with the school system to provide student tours of various employer facilities, giving students the opportunity to “observe and ask questions” and “learn about skills and jobs that are offered there,” Hansen said.

Any employers interested in hosting a student tour can contact Michigan Works! at 989.348.8709.