BLOGS
Michigan Works! Association Celebrates September as National Workforce Development Month
One of my former co-workers always had a knack for knowing all sorts of national days and months, informing our team of such momentous occasions. Whether it’s National Apple Turnover Day (July 5) or National Library Lover’s Month (February), I have made it a part of my routine to take note of all that we have to celebrate as a society, no matter the size and scope of the cause.
Michigan Works! Celebrates June as Youth Employment Month
By connecting young people in our community to resources for professional development, career exploration, and mentorship, they are better prepared to find long-term employment after the program ends and take the next steps toward their future careers.
Michigan Works! Helping Reopen Michigan’s Economy
With the increase in vaccination availability and a shift toward economic recovery, the Michigan Works! network has returned to its core mission of getting Michigan residents trained, educated, and back to work. Michigan Works! has been providing, and continues to provide, services to Michigan job seekers and employers virtually, by telephone, and by appointment over the course of the pandemic.
Michigan Works! Association Celebrates Workforce Advocacy Month with Lawmaker Visits and Panel Discussions
April is the Michigan Works! Association’s Workforce Advocacy Month during which directors of the Michigan Works! offices across the state meet virtually with their local lawmakers to discuss legislative priorities for this year.
March is Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month which is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987.
February is Career and Technical Education Month
Career and technical education in Michigan prepares students at the secondary and postsecondary levels to have the academic, technical, and work-behavior skills to enter, compete, and advance in education and throughout their careers.
January is National Mentoring Month
As leaders, we are called to serve, to inspire others and influence outcomes - at home, at work and at play. Whether you are a coach or working the front lines at Michigan Works!, you can be the difference. It is important to have a role model for success, and someone you trust who can give you positive reinforcement and hold you accountable.
December is Career Exploration and Awareness Month
It is imperative that parents, counselors, coaches, and influencers of the state’s youth make an extra effort to regularly have meaningful conversations with students about the different career options available to them, as many Michigan students leave high school and college without the knowledge of the skills needed for high-demand, high-wage careers.
November 8-14 is National Apprenticeship Week
As the economy begins to recover from the effects of the pandemic, apprenticeships offer a viable answer to the skills gap and the need to reskill and retrain individuals whose jobs were adversely impacted by COVID-19.
Making the Michigan workforce inclusive of the diverse population in our state, together
Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!, discusses the importance of implementing diversity, equity and inclusion practices in Michigan’s workplaces in this guest blog piece.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, celebrating the ingenuity that people with disabilities bring to workplaces across the country
National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the ingenuity that people with disabilities bring to workplaces across the country. Ensuring that workplaces continue to include and accommodate individuals with disabilities will be an important part of the nation’s economic rebound.
COVID-19 pandemic emphasizes the need for food insecurity awareness during Hunger Action Month
In Michigan, over 1.35 million people are struggling with hunger, and over 318,000 of them are children who go to bed hungry each night. Previously, the United States had reached its peak of food insecurity during the Great Recession at 50 million people. During the 2020 pandemic, a new peak of 54 million has been reached.
Michigan Works! Association Earns International Accreditation Demonstrating Commitment to High-Quality Continuing Education
When it comes to finding and boosting local talent, there is no substitute for a Michigan Works! Association Business Solutions Professional (BSP).
Enacting Policies that Increase Access to Child Care is Critical to Sustaining and Strengthening the Nation’s Current and Future Workforce
With the cost of child care amounting to thousands of dollars each year, low- and middle-income families are increasingly priced out of the child care market and struggle to find a program they can afford. Lower-earning families were also more likely to cite location as a reason for difficulty, which is likely due to a lack of child care infrastructure in lower-income neighborhoods and, perhaps, barriers to accessing affordable and reliable transportation. Together, these factors can constrain child care choices for low- and middle-income families.
The Michigan Works! Association Can Help You Prepare for a Post-COVID Economy
While we don’t quite know yet what the post-COVID economy will look like, it is trending toward looking like a situation where there will be a big need for reskilling, retraining and upskilling of workers.
Racial Equity: An Economic and Moral Imperative
The Michigan Works! Association board, staff, members, and community grieve with our nation over the senseless death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd is one of the latest in a long line of Black deaths at the hands of police officers. Michigan Works! stands with the Black community in condemning deep-rooted, systemic violence, and police brutality against our Black community members.