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Taylor came to Michigan Works! as a single parent who was a high school dropout. She often worked two jobs to make ends meet. Her education had major gaps due to bouncing between public education and homeschooling. She began working with Youth Career Advisor, Jessie Trumble, hoping to advance her education and get her GED. With Jessie’s help, Taylor began by working on increasing her basic skills, then began tackling tests one at a time. By mid 2018 Taylor had taken and passed her science, social studies, and language arts tests. Knowing that the math test would be more challenging for her, they began working and building Taylor’s math skills from the bottom up. Sometimes it was hard for Taylor to give studies her full attention, as she was trying to be a mom and support her young daughter as well. With Jessie’s help, they set goals and Taylor did her best to follow through. In March 2020 the covid pandemic began, which made meeting and keeping Taylor on track more difficult, but Jessie and Taylor did their best to adapt. By January 2021, they were mostly meeting weekly to continue to work on Taylor’s math skills. Although there were a few bumps in the road, Taylor had finally gained the skills needed to pass her final test. Thanks to the help of Michigan Works! and Youth Career Advisor Jessie, Taylor received the educational support, tutoring, and assistance she needed to purchase her GED ready and GED exams. She finally receive her GED, which was her goal. Taylor says she is forever grateful for Jessie’s understanding during the times she was unable to follow through on assignments and meetings. She is also grateful that Jessie believed in her and that she could be successful. Taylor realized that no matter how big the task – it can be accomplished. Sometimes you just need to break things down in small pieces and set goals. In the near future, Taylor is looking to enroll at Kirtland Community College.

Carlee met with Michigan Works! Youth Career Advisor, Jeanie Flory, when she was ready to move to Alpena to pursue her accounting degree. She had just graduated high school and was looking to move to Alpena to be closer to Alpena Community College. Carlee was in need of employment to support herself, and she was also looking for an apartment. Jeanie enrolled Carlee in the WIOA Youth Program and Jobs for Michigan Graduates (JMG) and began looking for a suitable Paid Work Experience in Alpena. Jeanie was referred to D.P.I. (Decorative Panels International) in Alpena; they recently had a lot of changes and were looking for office help, as well as someone who could do some entry level accounting work. Jeanie set Carlee up with an initial interview and shortly after Sharon with DPI reported that Carlee seemed like a great fit. Carlee completed her Paid Work Experience with D.P.I. in early December. She did so well, she was immediately offered a part-time job which would fit around her school schedule. In addition to finding Carlee the Paid Work Experience position, Jeanie was able to utilize WIOA funding to pay for Carlee’s mileage to/from work and school, and Carlee’s participation in the JMG program provided her with additional leadership development and team building experience. Carlee states that she was very excited for the opportunity and the experience.

H & S Mold needs to retain the high quality employees they currently have and ensure those employees evolve along with new technology. Through Michigan Works!, they were awarded a 2021 Going PRO Talent Fund award of $1,600 to train one of their CAD Programmers. The “Advanced Multi-Axis” training provided by Axsys, Inc. will expand the knowledge and understanding H & S Mold’s employees have while using the software. “[With this training] we will be able to utilize the new machine we purchased and more effectively use our existing machines,” says H & S Mold’s Office Manager Ashley Bergman. “When we hire new employees, we want to make sure they have the necessary training to run the machines. This training will help us retain valuable employees and further their education. When we can offer our employees additional training, they gain valuable skills that enhance their efficiency.” She continues, “This training grant helps keep our employees current with changing technology and helps us retain our skilled labor force. We can also train new employees using the grant funds which keeps production going.” Recipient of the training, CAD Programmer Ian Bolender, says, “This training will help me expand my capabilities in programming and use the new machine - which increases our productivity.” Ian has been with H & S for 18 years. After receiving this training, Ian received a 14% raise.

Crystal called the Grayling Michigan Works! office inquiring if we had any programs to help renew her vehicle registration. She works in Home Health Care and was unable to drive to her client's residence to work, but her finances were very tight and she couldn’t afford the registration costs. Thanks to the Barrier Removal Employment Success funding, Michigan Works! Career Navigator Christina Southwell was able to help Crystal pay for her registration at the Secretary of State’s office. Now Crystal is able to legally and safely get to and from work.

Matt wanted to get his CDL to further his career. He came to Michigan Works! to ask about possible classroom training assistance, but unfortunately he was found ineligible. Michigan Works! Career Navigator Yolanda contacted Business Solutions Professional, Stephanie Weizer, to see if there was another avenue to help Matt get the training he needed. Matt had been working maintenance with his current employer for over 20 years. He was at the point where he either needed to find a new position within the company or look elsewhere. When he spoke to his employer they agreed that if he got his CDL it would benefit both parties. Stephanie spoke with Matt’s employer, Great Lakes Tissue, and enrolled Matt in an Incumbent Worker Training (IWT), which would help reimburse Great Lakes Tissue on the training costs required for Matt’s CDL training. The IWT also reimbursed Matt for the $1,000 he put down to hold his spot at Road Warriors Truck Driving School as well. Without this training an employee of 20+ years would have had to pay out of pocket for the training. Thanks to the Incumbent Worker Training Grant through Michigan Works!, Matt was able to get the training without incurring the costs himself. The employer even reimbursed him the down payment that he had put down to hold his spot with the truck driving school!

Action Traffic Maintenance’s inception dates back to 1982, when the company started its sign manufacturing and installation roots. Initially operating primarily as a traffic control facilitator, they transitioned into the permanent signing business. Upon mastering their craft and delivering the best products and services in the Michigan signing industry, they have expanded into several other sectors of road construction, including but not limited to the following: guardrail, fencing, crash attenuators, crash cable systems, truck mounted attenuator rentals, traffic control and large structural concrete foundations. As the company continues to grow, Action Traffic has a need to grow its employee bases’ knowledge and skills to continue to provide industry leading products to their customers and the general motoring public. Without such trainings, they would lose customers due to inferior pricing, products and service capabilities. Thanks to the Going PRO Talent Fund award of $37,500, Action Traffic was able to send multiple employees through several classroom setting trainings, as well as on the job trainings. This allowed them to train employees for their future goals with Action Traffic and helped provide them with the tools necessary for advancement in the company or other companies in the construction industry. The Going PRO Training Fund award helped Action Traffic train 15 existing employees, hire 13 new employees, and create 11 new jobs, with an average starting wage of over $23. Action Traffic was able to provide two types of Crane Training, Mobile Crane Program (Rubber Tire Truck Mount: Telescoping Boom, Fixed Controls & Rubber Tire Truck Mount: Articulating Boom, Fixed Controls) through Optare Services, who is partnered with NCCEER (National Center for Construction Education and Research). Action Traffic was also able to provide OSHA 30 training to several employees through MITA (Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association). Lastly, Action Traffic provided on the job training to several employees ranging from Laborers, to Foreman, to Project Managers. Action Traffic’s Project Manager/Safety Director TJ Peake said Michigan Works! was extremely responsive and helpful in answering all questions, from the application process all the way through what trainings were covered. TJ states, “The 2021 Going PRO Grant has provided Action Traffic with extensive opportunities to train existing employees at every level - from Laborers to Foreman and Project Managers.” Connor Pytlowany was hired in at Action Traffic as a Project Manager January 18th, 2021 and received additional training thanks to the Going PRO Talent Fund award. He states, “Action Traffic has invested in me and given me the tools to perform my job. This training has helped me perform my responsibilities more efficiently and be more productive. I am scheduled to receive more training this upcoming season.”

Carrie came to the Cheboygan Michigan Works! office seeking help finding a new job. She had recently been laid off and didn’t want to be on unemployment. She has children to take care of and didn’t want to settle for unemployment. Career Navigator Kelli helped Carrie create a PMTC account and provided a few job referrals to apply to. Carrie heard back from one application immediately and she got the job. She was very thankful for the assistance Kelli had provided in her job search for a professional career. Kelli also explained the classroom training program to Carrie, providing her the information to get assistance with tuition to become a pharmacy tech. Carrie states, “Working a seasonal job has been challenging. Before Covid, I had a hard time holding down a job. Then with the kid’s school closing (due to covid), it became very hard to make ends meet. So I finally sucked up my pride and reached out for help, because if you don’t seek help, you won’t get it when it’s needed.” “I’m so thankful for the job search help and helping me understand the correct tools to use to be professional. Being a full-time mom when covid hit was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I just kept pushing and didn’t give up for my kids. I’m so thankful now to have a good paying job that is close to home. Kelli was a great help! Thank you!”

Husband and wife, James and Carla came in to Michigan Works! together originally seeking assistance with paying for a driver's license. After working with Career Navigator, Chelsea, they realized they would be able to pay for the driver’s license on their own, however, they had both just accepted new jobs and needed assistance with gas and work clothing as well. Utilizing BRES (Barrier Removal Employment Success) funding, and a grant from Otsego Community Foundation, Chelsea was able to assist Carla with new work clothes for her customer service job. Chelsea utilized BRES funding to help James as well, paying for work clothes and gas to/from work prior to their first paycheck(s). While they’ve had difficulties paying for basic needs, James and Carla say they’ve learned it’s ok to ask for assistance when you need it. The couple was very thankful to receive the work clothes prior to starting their new jobs.

Ryan P. contacted Michigan Works! seeking help obtaining his Class A CDL. He had been working a seasonal position and after looking into different career paths he found that commercial driving would provide the best opportunities for himself and his family. After Ryan completed filling out necessary paperwork, Michigan Works! was able to cover not only Ryan’s tuition expenses to attend Road Warrior Truck Driving School in Gaylord, but also covered his hotel stay while attending the school, since it was a 2 hour commute from his home. Ryan completed not only his CDL-A, but also his endorsements for hazmat and has accepted a position with American Gas products. Ryan says, “I'm very thankful for the help and support I received from Michigan Works!, especially my Career Advisor Amanda Pauly! With the funding I was provided I was able to complete cdl school and obtain my class A cdl with no debt. I now have accepted my first cdl position and am looking forward to starting my new career! Thanks Michigan Works!”

Amy had been laid off since March 2020 due to COVID and her unemployment insurance assistance ended in September 2021. It had been difficult for Amy to staying afloat and due to being home all that time not working, she realized she had gone up a few sizes and would need new work clothing. When she was hired on as a receptionist for McLaren in Petoskey she really needed some dress clothes immediately. She stopped in at Michigan Works! in Cheboygan and talked with Career Navigator Rachel to see if they could help. Thankfully, Michigan Works! was able to utilize BRES (Barrier Removal Employment Success) funding, which was able to offer Amy assistance clothing for her new job. Amy says, “I’m so happy to have been offered this position! Thanks to Rachel and Michigan Works! I was able to buy some work attire to look presentable in my new position.” Amy also states that she hopes to start saving soon, just in case situations like this arise in the future.

Brenda, a 16 year Army veteran and single mom of 6 (2 with learning disabilities) was looking to start a new career, but she needed a little extra help to make everything work with her new job. She came to Michigan Works! hoping for assistance. She had a new job offer, but she needed assistance with work appropriate clothing and with gas money to get back and forth to work prior to her first paycheck. Thanks to the BRES (Barrier Removal Employment Success) funding, Career Navigator Rachel at Michigan Works! was able to help Brenda purchase a few new shirts to wear to work, as well as gas money. Thankful for the assistance she received, Brenda replied, “They were so nice to me and willing to help. I now have clothes and gas for my truck for work. Thank you so much Michigan Works! Great people at Michigan Works! in Cheboygan!”

When the local Veterans’ Career Advisor referred Donna to Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, she was looking for part-time work. She had administrative experience, but needed help with her job search. Donna worked with Kelli, Career Advisor at Michigan Works!, who provided resume writing assistance and job referrals. When Michigan Works! received a call from Holiday Inn Express regarding posting a job for a part-time bookkeeping position, Kelli immediately thought of Donna. Kelli referred Donna for the position and the next day she had an interview. She was quickly offered the position. Thanks to Kelli’s employment matchmaking, Donna started a new position immediately and Holiday Inn Express filled their job opening – a win-win for all!