Capital Area Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts

LANSING, MI (March 31, 2021)— Capital Area leadership in talent development through community partnerships were among the successes celebrated by state leaders at the first-ever virtual Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards this week. 

Local lawmakers and statewide talent development officials gathered virtually on Wednesday, March 31 to recognize MWC and Capital Area Michigan Works! for promoting the importance of community partnerships and involvement through initiatives to benefit local residents and the overall community.   

MWC is a large-scale cheese and whey protein manufacturing facility in St. Johns, MI.  As a new joint venture between Dairy Farmers of America, Select Milk Producers, and Glanbia Nutritionals, who owns 50 percent of the venture.  MWC understands the importance of creating relationships with existing manufacturing employers and local residents.  As a result, MWC has prioritized community involvement and partnership. 

In partnership with local workforce development organizations.  Capital Area Michigan Works! Has assisted MWC in applying for Going PRO Talent Fund grants, developing recruitment strategies, establishing hiring requirements and providing MWC’s staff with information about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit as well as potential On-the-Job Training Grants.  Additionally, MWC has partnered with other manufacturing companies to host job fairs and participated in local events all while welcoming the advice and guidance from partner organizations. 

“Capital Area Michigan Works! Was supportive from day one in our hiring plans,” said Kate Studley, HR Business Partner for Glanbia Nutritionals.  “They have assisted with making sure our rates were competitive for Michigan’s market.  They helped with planning, advertising and assisting us in our two hiring fairs, as well as connecting us with multiple businesses and community connections, sending multiple candidates our way and hosting a virtual job fair.  Capital Area Michigan Works! Has also made sure we were aware of Michigan grants and helped answer many questions along this journey.  They also forwarded us any regulation changes with COVID-19 to ensure we were staying up to date in this new environment.  Capital Area Michigan Works! Has been a resource to MWC during the early days of planning and hiring in MWC’s startup.” 

While MWC is in the early stages of community involvement and giving back to the community, the organization has plans to meet the growing demand of their company while prioritizing the community. 

The facility will soon be processing, on a daily basis, eight million pounds of milk, 800,000 pounds of American style cheeses and 350,000 pounds of whey powders.  To meet this volume, the company will employ approximately 260 people in the greater St. John’s area.  The 2.9 billion annual pounds of milk processed at the facility will come from over 20 percent of Michigan’s milk supply supporting hundreds of Michigan dairy farms. 

“Capital Area Michigan Works! is a key partner for local businesses, and their collaboration helps ensure that talent needs are met in the best way possible,” said state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte). “The work they have done, and continue to do, with MWC is key to providing great career opportunities in this region.” 

The Impact Awards hosted by Michigan Works! Association recognizes the economic development success being achieved in communities across Michigan. During the event, local lawmakers presented tributes to dozens of honorees from across the state.   

Award winners included Michigan businesses, partners, employees and Michigan Works! organizations.  

The Michigan Works! Association is a non-profit membership organization that provides services and support to Michigan’s talent eco-system. For over 30 years, the Association has been the go-to resource for federal, state and local workforce initiatives.  

The Association’s work ensures top-quality services and support for Michigan’s talent pipeline. For more information, please visit michiganworks.org.  

Find the nearest Michigan Works! American Job Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1-800) 285-WORKS (9675). 

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