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Networks Northwest invites residents to actively participate in shaping the future of waste and materials management in their communities. Networks Northwest is collaborating with Antrim County, Charlevoix County, and the tri-county area of Manistee-Missaukee-Wexford Counties to update their respective Materials Management Plans (MMP).

Eighteen employers in Northwest Michigan have been awarded a total of $577,927 in Cycle Two of the 2025 Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF), supporting training for 273 employees, including 53 apprentices. Two-thirds of awarded employers included apprentices in their training plans—underscoring a strong regional focus on long-term talent development.

The Northwest Education Services Adult Education program proudly celebrated the accomplishments of 47 adult learners during a heartfelt graduation ceremony held Wednesday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium, Traverse City.

Northwest Michigan Works! and Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) have successfully expanded the region’s ability to train the next generation of skilled EV technicians by obtaining $120,000 in state workforce development funds.

We are pleased to announce that Riley Brown and Anna Berg, Jobs for Michigan Graduates (JMG) College Success Program students with Northwestern Michigan College, are recipients of the Northwest Michigan Works! JMG Scholarship this year. Each recipient will be awarded $500 sent directly to the institution of their choice to support their educational pursuits.

Twenty-two Jobs for Michigan’s Graduate (JMG) students from local schools participated in the annual JMG Career Development Conference in Lansing. The event highlights workplace skills and knowledge, such as creative problem solving, interview skills, and career preparation.

A program providing meaningful work experience and income for young adults is continuing in Northwest Lower Michigan. Northwest Michigan Works! has received a grant for the Young Professionals program.

Over 1,800 ninth graders from more than 20 northern Michigan school districts participated in the region’s largest career exploration event on May 8th in Traverse City. Held at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, MiCareerQuest Northwest provides students the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers through a hands-on, interactive experience.

Riley Brown, a Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) student at Northwestern Michigan College, recently earned top honors at the National Career Development Conference (NCDC) held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

To better understand the growing impacts of remote work in Northwest Michigan, Networks Northwest has kicked off the Northwest Michigan Remote Worker Study. Starting with the launch of the Northwest Michigan Remote Worker Survey, the study aims to gain insights into remote work trends though survey responses, focus groups, and data acquisition to create a regional report, expected in the Fall of 2025.

Northern Michigan employers looking for innovative ways to reduce turnover, boost productivity, and support their workforce are invited to an exclusive Business Resource Network (BRN) Information Session on May 2nd at North Central Michigan College (NCMC) in Petoskey.

Northwest Education Services is proud to announce that it has been awarded a 107-A Innovation Grant as part of more than $8.7 million in state funding distributed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). The grant will fund innovative initiatives aimed at supporting adults without a high school diploma or equivalency and English language learners, helping them achieve academic and career success.

Northwest Michigan Works!, a program of Networks Northwest, is hosting a free registered apprenticeship Lunch, Learn and Launch workshop Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Northwest Michigan Works! in Traverse City. Businesses and organizations from across northwest Lower Michigan could use this opportunity to network, learn about strategies to address workforce shortages, and the benefits of using an apprenticeship program. This exciting information session will take place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, and employers from across the region are strongly encouraged to join us for this valuable opportunity!

Northwest Michigan APEX Accelerator, a program of Networks Northwest, is pleased to announce that Marco Barberini has returned to the organization and will be assuming the Regional Director position. Barberini will be replacing long-term Regional Director, Cathy Fairbanks, beginning April 1, 2025.

As Michigan continues to lead the way in electric vehicle (EV) innovation, Northwest Michigan Works! is helping EV industry employers build a highly skilled workforce. Through a new workforce training initiative, employers can access training reimbursements, employment services, and support programs to upskill workers and fill critical roles in the growing EV sector.

Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is excited to announce an upcoming Job Fair on Thursday, March 13th, offering job seekers the opportunity to explore exciting career opportunities in the aviation and adjacent industries. The event will take place at 727 Fly Don’t Dr., Traverse City, MI, with two sessions available: 8:00 – 10:00 AM and 2:00 – 4:00 PM.

Residents and business owners in the Village of Kingsley are encouraged to contribute their ideas for the community’s new Master Plan at an upcoming open house. The input session will take place on Wednesday, February 19th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Kingsley Village Office, 207 S. Brownson Avenue, Kingsley, MI 49649.

Seven local Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) students attended a National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA) in Washington D.C. this past December.

Antrim County will continue to accept applications until all Materials Management Planning Committee (MMPC) requirements are filled, but it is expected for appointments to the MMPC to be made at the Antrim County Board of Commissioners second meeting in January 2025. The committee will help guide the development of a new Materials Management Plan that the County will be developing with assistance from Networks Northwest.

Northwest Michigan employers are celebrating a transformative boost for workforce development, with over $1.3 million awarded through the first round of 2025 Going PRO Talent Fund grants. This funding will provide critical training opportunities for 695 employees, including on-the-job and classroom training for 178 apprentices across the region.

Northwest Michigan Works!, a program of Networks Northwest, proudly celebrated the graduation of over 50 registered apprentices from its US Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program.