WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Operating a successful business requires access to reliable workforce recruitment and training resources. The Mason County Growth Alliance collaborates with numerous entities focused on connecting businesses with these necessary resources. Local and state level support is available to provide valuable information and tools for business success. Stop into the office or call (231) 845-0324 for an appointment to discuss a strategy for your business.

SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. SCORE mentors aim to give every person the support they need to thrive as a small business owner. Volunteers give freely of their time, energy and knowledge to help others – and they are pivotal to the continued success of SCORE’s mission.

SCORE volunteers donated more than 4.9 million hours of service in 2019 to support their communities. In return, SCORE aims to make their time engaging and satisfying. The organization believes that small business owners who are lifetime learners adapt to change more readily and are more successful. Volunteers as lifelong learners remain relevant and achieve personal satisfaction and growth.

Learn more about SCORE

If you have a business start-up idea, or you are a business owner and are interested in having a mentor, please contact Kelly Parker at the Chamber of Commerce at (231) 845-0324. New mentors are also welcomed.

Employers and job seekers alike can search an extensive database of job openings, post and view resumes and jobs, view upcoming job fairs and tap into a variety of specialty career services on the Talent Connect website.

Learn more about Talent Connect

Q: What is Pure Michigan Talent Connect?
A: Pure Michigan Talent Connect is your launch pad for new jobs, careers and talent. It is an online marketplace connecting Michigan’s job seekers and employers, serving as a central hub linking all public and private stakeholders who support Michigan’s workforce.

Q: What is the difference between Pure Michigan Talent Connect and Michigan Works Service Centers/Association?
A: Pure Michigan Talent Connect is a State of Michigan, Workforce Development Agency web site and job exchange portal that services Michigan companies and job-seekers. The Michigan Works! Association is a public/private partnership with the state to provide workforce and talent services to Michigan residents and companies. The Michigan Works! Association works closely with the State of Michigan

LINK UP WITH PURE MICHIGAN TALENT CONNECT

Job Seeker – Select if interested in exploring jobs in Michigan

Employer – Select if interested in posting jobs in Michigan

Skilled Trades – Select if interested in skilled trades in Michigan

A proud partner of the American Job Center Network, Michigan Works! Workforce Service Center provides employment services to connect businesses with skilled individuals seeking employment. It provides one-on-one assistance to develop and retain a quality workforce. Michigan Works! provides assistance with job advertising, hiring events, recruitment and training.

Learn more about Michigan Works! West Central

Michigan Works! West Central works with employers and job seekers throughout Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties as part of the greater Michigan Works statewide system. It is just one of 16 agencies of Michigan Works throughout the state, and each agency works locally. Call 231-796-0049 for more information.

WSCC’s Business Opportunity Center’s goal is to collaborate with businesses throughout the area to provide innovative practices for business excellence. The center works closely with business and industry to provide training to businesses desiring to strengthen their regional and economic competitiveness in a wide variety of job skill areas.

Learn more about WSCC

FOCUS AREAS:

Training – We develop training in customer specific areas for individuals or groups to help businesses maximize their productivity and profit. We provide training to individuals and companies to improve their general skills, technical skills, and professional knowledge. We are committed to maintaining and growing a quality workforce in our region.
Economic Development – We partner with the regions economic development organizations to enhance the economic vitality of our community.
Entrepreneurship – We are a gateway for entrepreneurs to find resources through a single entity, saving them time, frustration and start-up costs.
Job Placement & Internships -WSCC works with students for both paid & unpaid internships, credit and non-credit internships. We work with the regional business community and WSCC faculty to match students to appropriate opportunities.
Personal Enrichment – We provide courses to enrich your life through arts and crafts; and cultural and physical improvement.

WEST SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY CENTER

Crystal Young, Director, Business Opportunity Center
3000 N. Stiles Road, Scottville, MI 49454
231-843-5731

The MCMA was formed to create a foundation for area manufacturers to share best practices, share training opportunities, and be a source of support in the quest to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Learn more about Mason County Manufacturers Association

MASON COUNTY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

The Mason County Manufacturers Association was formed to create a foundation for area Manufacturers to share best practices, share training opportunities, and be a source of support in our quest to remain competitive in today’s global marketplace.

Membership Benefits:

Best practice tours at members facilities
Consolidated training opportunities targeting:
Leadership/Supervisory skills
Lean manufacturing
Problem solving
Computer skills
Other areas as identified by members
A network of manufacturers to seek input from
Assistance with obtaining training grants

M.C.M.A. Objectives:

To provide members with a return on their investment in the program
To provide members training and tools for continuous improvement
To share best practices with the Mason County Manufacturers
To provide a unified response to the issues raised by the community
To promote manufacturing and the positive impact on the community

The goal of this CEO-led effort is to dramatically improve the quality and quantity of the region’s talent to meet increasingly more complex and diverse workforce needs. Regional collaboration among all stakeholders in the talent system will ensure that our region is globally competitive with a greater quality of life for all.

Learn more about Talent 2025

TALENT 2025

Talent 2025’s vision is for West Michigan to be globally recognized as a top 20 region in the U.S. where entrepreneurship thrives, and employers want to be, because diverse talent wants to work, learn, and live here. Talent 2025 is a catalyst to create a truly integrated talent development system designed to make West Michigan a magnet for both talent and jobs.

CLOSING THE GAP

Talent 2025 is the catalyst for the development of an integrated talent system to meet employer needs. Education, economic development, quality of place, and responsive public policy all play a role in a successful talent system.

Early Childhood Development – K-12 Education – Post-Secondary Education

TALENT 2025 RESOURCES

Looking for information on Entrepreneurs, Education Work ready communities, Workforce Development and more? Look at the Talent 2025 resources to learn more about these crucial work and education categories.

Learn more about Hello West Michigan

The founding partners of the Michigan Internship Initiative, Hello West Michigan and the Prima Civitas, have focused the initiative on connecting employers, educational institutions and workforce development, while providing employers with the resources necessary to build a successful internship program. There are several tools and initiatives aimed at connecting interns (talent) to employers, but it is imperative that the right structure is in place to make that connection a success.

The Michigan Internship Initiative has two primary components:

Employer Internship Toolkit – Designed to provide resources for employers to assist with developing and/or enhancing an internship program. The toolkit includes information and templates that will assist with creating and managing internships.
- The purpose of this toolkit is to:
- Cover the five (5) steps essential to structuring a successful internship program.
- Outline each step in detail.
- Provide templates, resources and information to assist with structuring an internship program.
- Provide best practices for each step.

Employer Internship Training Sessions (EITS) – In addition to a Michigan Internship Initiative Talent Partner, other presenters at the sessions often include college career service representatives, an employer with a successful internship program, and an experienced intern.

At each session, presenters cover, at a minimum, the following items:

Employer benefits for having an internship program.
How to connect with education, workforce development and talent.
Things to consider before beginning an internship program.
How to address cultural and generational differences between incumbent workers and interns.
The five steps essential to structuring an internship program.
Best practices and frequently asked questions.
Additional resources such as career fairs, online tools and networking groups.