West Michigan Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts

West Michigan Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts  

Lawmakers Celebrate Local Talent, Career Development Efforts in West Michigan 

LANSING, MI (March 24, 2022)— West Michigan talent development and employment successes were among those celebrated by state leaders at the 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 the City of Grand Rapids, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation, as well as West Michigan Works! for implementing a new hiring system that provides equal access to opportunity in employment, while reducing barriers often found in the hiring process.  

The City of Grand Rapids was in search of a new hiring system that would provide equal access to opportunity in employment, while reducing barriers that are often typical in a hiring process. With a strong commitment to fairness and diversity in selection, the city joined HireReach.     

Many organizations face challenges transitioning to a competency-based hiring approach and the city was no exception. They needed to work alongside eight unions and a civil service commission, navigate the requirements of various labor agreements, and manage the challenges inherent in organizational change. 

In 2018, the W.K. Kellogg and Doug & Maria DeVos Foundations funded a three-year program through West Michigan Works! to support employers in adopting HireReach. HireReach combines learning, training, peer learning and consulting support to help organizations adopt a fair and objective hiring process using evidence-based selection (EBS). HireReach provided half-day training workshops, individual consulting support, and ongoing implementation assistance to support the City of Grand Rapids in implementing evidence-based selection. 

Through participating in HireReach, the City of Grand Rapids was able to successfully revamp their hiring process, transitioning from a complex, labor-intensive, and ineffective process to a modern, streamlined, science-based approach. This new hiring process has allowed the city to look at candidates holistically and as a result, candidates who might have been passed over with the previous hiring process are now being realized for their ability to do the job. The City of Grand Rapids is making better hiring decisions and providing employment opportunities for a broader, more diverse group of candidates. 

"With HireReach, we have been able to hire based on competencies using high-quality tools to hire candidates and bring out the best in them, ensuring they are in the right role – which is great for our organization and the candidate,” said Desiree Foster, human resources director, City of Grand Rapids.   

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

“The partnership West Michigan Works! has with employers is key to assisting them with their talent pipeline goals,” said Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “The dedication West Michigan Works! has for helping employers makes them a huge asset to our community.”  

Award winners included employers, workers, Michigan Works! organizations, and partners from across the state. 

“The pandemic has increased the number of challenges employers are facing,” said Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids). “The City was facing hiring and retention issues.  I am grateful to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation and West Michigan Works! for the assistance they were able to lend the City of Grand Rapids through HireReach.”  

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.  

“Congratulations to the City of Grand Rapids on winning this prestigious award,” said Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids).  “I am thankful for collaborations like the one between the W.K. Kellogg and Doug & Maria DeVos Foundations and West Michigan Works! that assist employers with their talent needs.” 

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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