Business-to-Business

Focusing on employment can take many shapes. Michigan Works! is expanding its mission to focus more on a business-to-business approach. As a partner with business Michigan Works! can help plan for the future, whether that means expansion, retaining and training existing employees, or being there with you through the tough times.

Services that the Michigan Works! Service Center can perform for you include, but are not limited to:

  • Demographic profiles
  • Local economic development assessment
  • Employment needs assessment
  • Tax credit savings information
  • Resume screening
  • On-site job fairs, employer-specific
  • On-site job fairs, multi-employer
  • Interview space
  • Posting open positions on Talent Bank
  • Applicant screening
  • Scheduling interviews
  • Recruitment services
  • Specialized large-group training
  • Creating accurate job descriptions

We're not just Michigan Works! We're you're partner, an extension of your business.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships
Program Year: On-Going
Program Description: This initiative aligns the three components of the Career Development System - Career Preparation, Worker Enhancement, and Workforce Development so future programming and services will adequately address the needs of Ottawa County.

Performance Measure: Each of the five goals has key indicators of success.

Contact Information:
Erin Kauth, Program Supervisor
Ottawa County Michigan Works! Agency
616-393-5614
Job Fairs
Employers can use rooms at the Service Center to accept applications and conduct interviews. Service Center staff will publicize the job fair through signage within the Service Center and through personal contact with customers using the center. Michigan Works! staff can even schedule interviews if the employer chooses that service. In Holland call (616) 396-2154 or in Grand Haven call (616) 296-0776.
Job Posting Assistance
Michigan Works! offers a variety of services for employers. The Employer Specialist assists employers with the use of the Michigan Talent Bank, a free, state sponsored, Internet job-posting service available to employers and job seekers. The Employer Specialist facilitates the posting of job openings and provides techniques on searching the Talent Bank for prospective employees. Employers control the level of service they receive. Some employers are comfortable posting and re-activating job openings, others ask for more structured help writing and posting job openings on the Talent Bank. The Employer Specialist can assist with reviewing and sorting resumes based on qualifications, skills or experience but is not involved with background or reference checks.
Training Opportunities
A variety of customized training programs are available and may include English as a Second Language, Workplace Specific ESL training, and incumbent worker training. Michigan Works! staff can assist companies in securing customized training for Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Bio-Science, and Life Science advancements in order for companies to remain competitive in the global market.
Labor Market Information
Information regarding prevailing wages, labor laws, and high wage, high growth occupations as well as unemployment and economic data are available at www.michlmi.org or through Michigan Works! by contacting the Service Center at (800) 285-WORK (9675).
WorkKeys™ Assessment
WorkKeys™ is a comprehensive employability skills assessment tool designed to help employers and individuals develop better workplace skills. All too often, the skills and abilities of students and employees simply are not keeping up with the demands of the workplace. WorkKeys™ identifies the particular skills needed for specific jobs. Students and job applicants can use their WorkKeys™ scores to determine how their skills measure up to those required in the workplace.
KeyTrain Assessments

KeyTrain can be used as a Pre-test to the WokKeys™ Assessments. Individuals can take the KeyTrain Assessment and, depending on their score, can decide whether or not to use the software modules to improve their score or move on to take the WorkKeys™ Assessments.

The KeyTrain assessments are available in the following skill areas:

  • Applied Technology - Consists of 4 skill areas: Electricity, Thermodynamics, Fluid Dynamics and Mechanics. Assesses skills in basic concepts which describe and govern how most modern technology operates and how they can be used to diagnose and troubleshoot problems with common modern equipment.
  • Applied Mathematics - Applying mathematical reasoning and problem solving techniques to work related problems.
  • Listening - Assesses ability to listen and accurately record information heard to common workplace situations such as instructions, telephone calls, lectures and conversations.
  • Locating Information - Locating objects or answers to questions by moving objects on the screen by "dragging", clicking, etc.
  • Observing - Assesses the skill to remember the important details of tasks demonstrated to you in the workplace to ensure that you can work safely and that the product of your work is high quality.
  • Reading Information - Assesses the ability to read and understand typical workplace documents. These may include letters, manuals, procedures and memos.
  • Teamwork - The skill of identifying and choosing behaviors and/or actions that support team relationships while leading toward accomplishment of work tasks.
  • Writing - The skill of creating clear and appropriate work-related messages. Includes memos, letters, reports, proposals and correspondence.
Incumbent Worker Program
Service Provider: Mini grants are awarded to Ottawa County employers on a first come first served basis pending review of the grant application.

Program Summary: Mini-grants not to exceed $10,000 each are awarded to employers to train the incumbent workforce. The goal of the training is to aid in averting layoffs within the companies participating and to support the efforts of these companies in filling any positions created by the promotion of employees through training.

Application available by contacting Mary Kay Schoon at Michigan Works!, (616) 494-8828.

Performance Measure: Companies will be required to track the number of existing workers completing training, the number of vacancies created by promotions, and the number of vacancies filled by Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth funded program participants.

ADA Wizard
The ADA Wizard is designed to assist business owners and human resource managers to better understand and learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Copies of the ADA Wizard are available at NO CHARGE by contacting the Service Center.