Capital Area Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts
Capital Area Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts
Local Lawmakers Celebrate Leadership in Talent Development
Through Community Partnerships
LANSING, MI (March 24, 2022)— Capital Area leadership in talent development through community partnerships were among the successes celebrated by state leaders at the annual Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards this week.
Local lawmakers and statewide talent development officials gathered virtually, and in-person, on Thursday, March 24 to recognize KTM Industries and Capital Area Michigan Works! for customizing recruiting strategies and expanding their reach into the job seeker market.
Established in 2002, KTM Industries is a producer of Green Cell Foam, a unique, natural, environmentally friendly packaging. Thermal insulating and shock absorbing, Green Cell Foam has replaced polystyrene packaging in industries ranging from pharmaceutical to automotive. It is compostable, water soluble and made of annually renewable, non-GMO, U.S.-grown cornstarch, proving it is possible to be “green” and make money. In addition to being an environmental steward and an industry leader, KTM Industries is an Employer of Excellence in greater Lansing.
KTM Industries has worked with the Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!) Business Services Team for many years to customize recruiting strategies and expand their reach into the job seeker market. Through postings on Pure Michigan Talent Connect, social media, and job fairs held onsite virtually, KTM Industries grew from 20 employees to 75 between 2017 and 2018. KTM then more than doubled the size of their Lansing-based workforce to 160 in 2019-20.
Many of these new employees have been New Americans and young workers. The increasingly diverse and growing workforce brought with it a change in the mechanics of training, supporting their growing workforce and business.
In 2019, KTM Industries became one of the founding members of the CAMW! Business Resource Network. Through this partnership, KTM provides concrete support to assist with barriers such as reliable transportation, locating affordable housing, strategies to get caught up on bill payment, teaching debt management, and even offering help navigating health and retirement benefits. This has led to increased retention for KTM and job stability for the employees.
"KTM has been working with CAMW! for over 20 years, from when we only had a dozen employees,” said president and CEO of KTM Industries Tim Colonnese. “Originally, we looked to CAMW! to help us fill open positions and for information on the local employment market. Since then, we have expanded our reliance on CAMW! for advice on best employment practices, assistance with training grants, and, most recently, entering into their Business Resource Network (BRN) program as a valuable additional tool in helping and retaining employees. Throughout the years, our interactions with CAMW! -- from the account manager to the CEO – have been consistently professional, cordial, and facilitative. Now, with over 200 local employees, we consider CAMW! an important, strategic partner to KTM’s current and future success.”
Through three Going PRO Talent Fund independent applications, 47 KTM employees are now better prepared to assist with both solving the problems of an exponentially growing business and providing the effective leadership required to support a growing workforce. As KTM Industries has expanded and grown in market share, they have shared that success with employees, reinvesting in the workforce by raising wages twice in the past year.
“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. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D-East Lansing). “The work they have done, and continue to do, with KTM 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.
“Congratulations to KTM Industries on winning this prestigious award,” said state Rep. Kara Hope (D-Lansing). “Your work has made you a valuable partner in Michigan’s continued economic success.”
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 ecosystem. 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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