Northwest Michigan Works! to Connect Job Seekers with Local Employers at Fall Hiring Event

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2026

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PETOSKEY, MI — Northwest Michigan Works! will host its Fall into a New Job! Hiring Event on Thursday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Emmet County Event Center in Petoskey.

The hiring event will bring together local employers and job seekers for an opportunity to make connections, explore open positions and learn more about career opportunities throughout Northwest Michigan. Employers will be hiring for a variety of full-time, part-time, permanent and seasonal positions.

The success of last year’s event continues to demonstrate the value of connecting local employers and job seekers. The 2025 Fall into a New Job! Hiring Event brought together more than 50 job seekers and 20 employers, with several employers conducting three to four interviews with candidates they met at the event. Seven hires have already been reported as a result of those connections. Employers from last year’s event are returning for this year’s event, highlighting the value they see in connecting directly with local talent. With multiple hiring events taking place across the region, strong employer participation continues to underscore the importance and effectiveness of bringing local employers and job seekers together.

“Employers have been telling us that finding talent continues to be one of their biggest challenges, so we’re listening and responding,” said Rob Dickinson, Regional Director of Business Services for Northwest Michigan Works!  “Our Fall into a New Job! Hiring Events are one way we can bring employers and job seekers together and make those connections happen. We saw this event succeed in Traverse City last year, and we are confident it will be successful in Petoskey this year. These events lead to real results, with employers meeting qualified candidates and making hires shortly afterward. We’re looking forward to another successful event and to helping even more local employers find the people they need to grow their businesses.”

This year's participating employers currently include:

• Waterfront Property Management

• Walstrom Marine

• Yazaki

• Grandvue Medical Center

• Moeller Aerospace

Representatives from participating businesses will be available to meet directly with job seekers, discuss current openings, answer questions about their organizations and explain what they are looking for in prospective employees.

The impact of these connections can extend beyond the event itself. At last year's hiring event, E-Fulfillment Service connected with multiple potential candidates and made a hire later that same week.

“Thank you for hosting the Michigan Works! Fall into a New Job Hiring Event. It was an excellent and well-organized event with a very positive environment. The event not only provided an opportunity to meet potential team members but also allowed me to network with other HR colleagues regarding hiring, team building, and our apprenticeship program. I met five potential candidates and made a hire later that week. Thanks to the Michigan Works! team for their hard work in making this a successful event,” said Merry Hawley, HR Manager at E-Fulfillment Service.

Job seekers are encouraged to register in advance at nwm.org/falljobfair2026 and bring copies of their résumés to share with employers. Attendees should also be prepared to discuss their skills, experience and employment goals with hiring representatives.

Participation is free and open to the public.

Event Details

Fall into a New Job! Hiring Event

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Emmet County Event Center
Petoskey, Mich.
Registration: nwm.org/falljobfair2026

About Northwest Michigan Works!

Northwest Michigan Works! is a program of Networks Northwest that connects job seekers and employers with resources, training and services designed to strengthen the region’s workforce. Through career services, employer assistance, training opportunities and other workforce programs, Northwest Michigan Works! helps individuals build careers while helping businesses find and develop the talent they need.