Michigan Works! Association Wayne County Commissioner Al Haidous 2023 Volunteer of the Year

LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 25, 2023) – The Michigan Works! Association honored Wayne County Commissioner Abdul “Al” Haidous as its 2023 Volunteer of the Year.  

“Commissioner Haidous has been a long-time, outstanding advocate for Michigan Works! and its resources,” said Michigan Works! Association CEO Ryan Hundt. “His leadership has greatly enhanced the effectiveness and public awareness of the Michigan Works! network. We are grateful for his commitment to improving the lives of others and are honored to name him our Volunteer of the Year.” 

Lebanon-native Abdul Haidous came to the City of Wayne 49 years ago, and quickly became a staple of the community, owning and operating Al’s Friendly Market with the help of his wife, Mary, for 35 years. In 1993, he became the city's first Arab-American elected official and in 2001, the city’s only voter-elected mayor. In 2014, he was elected to the Wayne County Commission for District 11 and is the Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, serves on the Committee of Public Services and Wayne County Airport Authority, and the Special Committee for Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs. As a former business owner, he understands the needs of the private sector and continues to obtain knowledge through his substantial network. His leadership has greatly enhanced the effectiveness and public awareness of SEMCA Michigan Works! and its Southeast Governmental Alliance Board.

He supports and participates in events offered by the Michigan Works Association! and National Association of Workforce Boards, attending annual conferences and special events honoring those we serve. He has been a regular, very effective participant with legislative visits in Lansing and Washington, D.C. His deep commitment to public service includes serving on the boards of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), previously on the Governors Workforce Development Board under both Governor Snyder and Governor Whitmer. In all these roles he has been an outstanding ambassador and advocate for Michigan Works!

The Volunteer of the Year award pays tribute to an individual from the private sector who is dedicated to the growth and promotion of Michigan Works!    

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Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100. 

Northwest Michigan Works! director appointed to Michigan Works! Association board

LANSING, Mich. (June 21, 2023) – The Michigan Works! Association today announced the appointment of Northwest Michigan Works Director Jessica Willis to its board of directors.

“Jessica Willis’ tremendous workforce experience will be an asset to the Michigan Works! Association board,” said Ryan Hundt, Michigan Works! Association CEO. “Our board provides critical insight to ensure positive outcomes for job seekers and employers and we are honored to have her join us.”

Before serving as the director of Northwest Michigan Works!, Willis was the
chief program officer for Networks Northwest, and also oversaw the Northwest OS Reentry Services program as the Regional Director of Offender Success. She has worked in nonprofit administration and community development since 2007, and also volunteers with a variety of community-based agencies and nonprofit boards. Willis holds a BA in Sociology from the State University of New York in Buffalo and her Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University.

"I am honored to join the Michigan Works! Association board and represent the workforce needs of communities in Northwest Lower Michigan,” said Willis. “Our network is uniquely positioned to change the lives of Michiganders every day and I look forward to collaborating with the board to continue strengthening the Michigan Works! system.”

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

Michigan Works! Association and Key Business Leaders Outline Workforce Development Priorities Ahead of Budget Discussions

With lawmakers in Lansing poised to re-engage in discussions on a supplemental budget alongside fiscal year 2024 priorities, a coalition of statewide business leaders led by the Michigan Works! Association have signed onto a memo in support of crucial workforce development investments to help Michigan maintain its competitive edge and address both immediate and long-term labor market needs.

The memo, shared with lawmakers and the Governor’s office, outlines three strategic workforce development areas that will foster a skilled workforce and strengthen the state’s economy:

• $100 million over 3 years for a Michigan Skills Fund: Of the 500,000 annual projected job openings through 2028, 72% will require a high school diploma, post-secondary training, or skills certificate. This program will allow businesses, education and training providers, and Michigan Works! agencies to partner to provide short-term training opportunities to more than 20,000 Michiganders in high-demand occupations.

• $80 million over 3 years for Youth Work Experience: This program will provide high-quality youth work experience to students, exposing them to new career paths in high-demand fields, scaling successful programs like Grow Detroit’s Young Talent and launching similar ventures statewide.

• $30 million one-time investment for Michigan Works! infrastructure: Investing one-time dollars in physical and digital infrastructure needs across the Michigan Works! network will extend the reach of workforce services to more individuals and businesses.

“Governor Whitmer outlined a bold strategy to keep Michigan competitive on a global scale in her historic State of the State address last week,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “A skilled workforce is the beating heart of economic opportunity, and we are confident these investments are a great next step in meeting the needs of businesses and job seekers in all corners of the state.”

As demand for talent remains high across many occupations and industries in Michigan, employers continue to indicate a lack of applicants with the necessary skills is a major barrier that needs to be addressed. These priorities are the among the latest requests from business leaders across the state to lead efforts that will narrow the skills gap and grow career opportunities in high-demand fields.

“Michigan businesses of every size, location and industry continue to face immense talent shortages and challenges,” said Jim Holcomb, president & CEO of the Michigan Chamber. “While there’s no one silver bullet solution, these workforce program investments are instrumental and can make a meaningful difference both now and down the road for employers and employees alike to grow and thrive.”

Click here to view the Workforce Investment Letter of Support.

For more information on these workforce development priorities, please visit www.michiganworks.org

$47 Million in Going PRO Talent Fund Grants Awarded

Earlier today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced $47 million in Going PRO Talent Fund training grants to nearly 750 business across the state to support approximately 27,000 workers obtain industry-recognized credentials and higher wages.

“A well-trained and skilled workforce is a key driver of economic opportunity and business growth,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “Alongside Governor Whitmer and elected officials in Lansing, the Michigan Works! system is proud to continue supporting the Going PRO Talent Fund, which provides vital support to businesses and residents of the state.”

Since the program’s launch in 2014, more than 6,000 Michigan businesses have received funding to support the training of roughly 170,000 workers in a range of occupations across many key industries. Each year, employers work closely with local Michigan Works! Agencies to submit application materials for the grant, while looking at other ways in which the state’s workforce development system can support the ongoing talent needs of the private sector.

“The Going PRO Talent Fund has been a powerful tool to help Michigan businesses meet their growing demand for skilled talent, and it benefits the state’s workers by helping them earn industry-recognized credentials that lead to higher wages and financial security,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training.

A complete list of grant recipients is available online at Michigan.gov/TalentFund.

Businesses who wish to apply for the second round of Going PRO Talent Funds this spring should remain in contact with their local Michigan Works! Agency. Applications for Industry-Led Collaboratives will open in March 2023.

For more information and to find your local Michigan Works! Agency, please visit www.michiganworks.org.

Michigan Works! Association Receives $100,000 Planning Grant from Michigan Justice Fund to Help Improve Workforce Re-Entry Service Delivery

LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 25, 2023) – The Michigan Works! Association, the state’s primary workforce development organization supporting the 16 Michigan Works! agencies throughout the state, has received a $100,000 planning grant from the Michigan Justice Fund to help improve workforce re-entry services in support of economic mobility for individuals with criminal convictions.

Individuals with criminal convictions often face complex barriers to sustainable employment, including mental health, credential completion, housing access, and lack of work history. Through the planning grant, the Michigan Works! Association and key stakeholders will work to identify additional unknown hurdles to upward economic mobility for formerly incarcerated individuals, while working to scale successful models for the delivery of services through the workforce development system.

“Ensuring justice-involved individuals receive the necessary support to remove systemic barriers on the path toward long-term employment is and should be a key feature of our workforce system,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “Our organization is grateful for this planning grant opportunity, where we will convene the voices of workforce developers, community partners, and most importantly, formerly incarcerated individuals to shape our workforce re-entry services in a more efficient, equitable manner.”

The Michigan Works! Association is one of seven entities statewide to receive a planning grant from the Michigan Justice Fund, as part of $2,750,300 in total grants recently announced to support the organization’s strategic vision of supporting returning citizens and building capacity for grassroots organizations.

“The Michigan Justice Fund is thrilled to be supporting efforts to better address the needs of individuals re-entering the workforce after incarceration across the state,” said Ashley Carter, director of the Michigan Justice Fund. “We are excited to partner with the Michigan Works! agencies on the innovative programming that will be developed with this grant.”

The Michigan Justice Fund is a collaborative of statewide and national funders that makes investments to promote the dignity and prosperity of Michigan residents by stemming the flow of individuals into the criminal legal system, supporting the investment of public dollars into community-driven alternatives to incarceration, and ensuring people who are returning home after incarceration receive the support they need to flourish. Since its inception in 2020, $18.3 million has been committed to the Michigan Justice Fund and more than $9 million has been deployed to organizations throughout the state. 

Marshall business leader appointed to Michigan Works! Association board

LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 7, 2022) – The Michigan Works! Association today announced the appointment of Marshall business leader Jacquelyn Murray of Marshall Excelsior to its board of directors.  

“Jackie Murray’s tremendous business and workforce experience will be an asset to the Michigan Works! Association board,” said Ryan Hundt, Michigan Works! Association CEO. “Our board provides critical insight to ensure positive outcomes for job seekers and employers and we are honored to have her join us.”

 Murray is the director of human resources at Marshall Excelsior, where she has worked since 2018. She is a huge advocate for those in the workforce, and quickly became involved with  several organizations that focus on workforce development, including the Michigan Works! Southwest Workforce Development Board. Her passion has been repeatedly demonstrated through her leadership and actions that focus on connecting employers with a talented workforce. Murray holds her degree in Organizational Management from Cornerstone University and is the proud mother of seven adult children and grandmother of three.

The Michigan Works! Association’s Board of Directors is a mix of public and private sector representatives who guide the organization and enable it to effectively achieve its mission. The Board is committed to holding the association and its regional Michigan Works! members accountable to the highest possible standards in program delivery. The Board is also committed to collaborating effectively with its partners to ensure the best outcomes for its customers.

“I believe that each person holds value and it’s up to leaders to show that. By equipping individuals to be successful in their work lives as well as personal lives, triumph can be obtained at so many levels,” Murray said. “This can be achieved by exhibiting trust, empathy, commitment and accountability. Providing resources to those who need and desire it, while empowering them to grow, creates an advancing path now and in the future.”

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

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Flint business leader appointed to Michigan Works! Association board

The Michigan Works! Association today announced the appointment of Flint business leader Leanne Panduren of ROWE PSC to its board of directors.  

“Leanne Panduren’s tremendous business and workforce experience will be an asset to the Michigan Works! Association board,” said Ryan Hundt, Michigan Works! Association CEO. “Our board provides critical insight to ensure positive outcomes for job seekers and employers and we are honored to have Leanne join us.”

Panduren has been with ROWE since 1994, and currently serves as CEO, President and chair of the board. She is a professional civil engineer by trade and her career has centered around assisting municipalities in completing a wide variety of infrastructure projects.

The Michigan Works! Association’s Board of Directors is a mix of public and private sector representatives who guide the organization and enable it to effectively achieve its mission. The Board is committed to holding the association and its regional Michigan Works! members accountable to the highest possible standards in program delivery. The Board is also committed collaborating effectively with its partners to ensure the best outcomes for its customers.

“After several years serving on the Workforce Development Board for Thumbworks and then GST Michigan Works, I’m very excited to continue my service at the state level and engage with workforce leaders from around the state,” Panduren said.

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

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Northern Michigan workforce development leader appointed to Michigan Works! Association board

The Michigan Works! Association today announced the appointment of Networks Northwest CEO Terry Vandercook to its board of directors.  

“Terry Vandercook’s tremendous business and workforce experience will be an asset to the Michigan Works! Association board,” said Ryan Hundt, Michigan Works! Association CEO. “Our board provides critical insight to ensure positive outcomes for job seekers and employers and we are honored to have Terry join us.”

Prior to becoming the Networks Northwest CEO, Vandercook was the operations manager for a local company where he assisted agricultural employers across the country in meeting their workforce needs through the U.S. Department of Labor’s H-2A visa program. He also previously served as chief program officer at Networks Northwest and business development manager for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The Michigan Works! Association’s Board of Directors is a mix of public and private sector representatives who guide the organization and enable it to effectively achieve its mission. The Board is committed to holding the association and its regional Michigan Works! members accountable to the highest possible standards in program delivery. The Board is also committed collaborating effectively with its partners to ensure the best outcomes for its customers.

"I am truly honored to serve on the Michigan Works! Association Board and represent the workforce, businesses, and communities of Northwest Lower Michigan,” Vandercook said. “I look forward to contributing to the impactful results driving work being done through the board and its collaborative membership."

Vandercook is a Northwest Michigan native and returned to the area with his family after serving a 20 year career in the United States Air Force.

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

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Michigan Works! Association Announces New Board of Directors Member

The Michigan Works! Association, the state’s primary workforce development association, today announced a new board member who will help support the nonprofit’s work to continue to move the needle on policy, education and collaboration on vital workforce development issues.

Eric Gustad, community affairs manager for Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, has recently joined the Michigan Works! Association board.

Gustad proudly serves the Central/Northwest Michigan region, ensuring his friends and neighbors receive the hometown service Consumers Energy aims to provide.

He is a six-year veteran of Consumers Energy, and currently works out of the Ludington Service Center. Previously, he spent over 11 years working for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians managing their training, education, and leadership development programs. He also served six years on the City of Manistee Planning Commission and three years as a City Council Member.
In the community, Gustad serves on five different regional economic development boards. He also serves on three chamber boards and three boards for charitable organizations. Eric has a strong passion for volunteering and giving back to the communities he serves.

“The bedrock of a successful workforce development system is community service,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “With Eric’s passionate commitment and responsiveness to the needs of businesses and residents, the Michigan Works! Association is thrilled to have Eric join our board of directors as we advance the mission and objectives of our organization.”

Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Ferris State University and currently lives in Manistee with much of his family and his two dogs.

More information about the members of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors can be found on the Association’s website.

Interview: Ryan Hundt, CEO Michigan Works! Association, Mackinac Policy Conference

Watch Ryan and Chris discuss Michigan Works! Association and their overall focus from the #MPC22 click play on the YouTube video below.