News and Success Stories

After losing his job as a part-time cashier at the Army base in Battle Creek, Ray began visiting the Michigan Works! Southwest Service Center almost every day, spending hours researching companies and applying for open positions. Though he was hesitant at first to receive one-on-one assistance from

In early May of 2019, the Vision for Prosperity Apprenticeship Readiness Training Program, designed to address the need for skilled workers in construction trades, celebrated the graduation of their first cohort, comprised of 16 individuals from the Kalamazoo area, at a luncheon and graduation ceremony held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 357 Training Center in Schoolcraft.

The Southwest Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is hosting a regional ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to educate companies on how to do business with government purchasers.

Ben Damerow, Michigan Works! Southwest Director, participated on the panel of the 13th Annual Calhoun County Legislative Breakfast.

Michigan Works! Southwest Director, Ben Damerow, joined the Governor’s signing of an executive order creating the new Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, a re-organization of the Department of Talent and Economic Development. Read more here!

In an ongoing effort to offer customized solutions for employers’ hiring needs, Michigan Works! Southwest staff have been dedicated to the creation and implementation of innovative, non-traditional apprenticeship training programs.

Ashley Iovieno, Business Services Coordinator for Michigan Works! Southwest, participated in the Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) NLN Summit on May 6 with close to 80 attendees from 16 states.

The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County (RCKC) took home two IMPRESS Awards at the County Road Association (CRA) of Michigan’s statewide 2019 Highway Conference in March.

“Michigan Works! Southwest has been a vital partner in increasing our business outreach strategies. They have assisted us in finding much-needed talent within our community and providing support during the implementation of our Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program…”

“KALAMAZOO, MI — Michigan Works of Southwest Michigan is taking applications for Vision for Prosperity, a program designed to help Kalamazoo County residents qualify for apprenticeships.”

“Friday, leaders of Gov. Whitmer’s cabinet hosted her post-State of the State “Home for Opportunity Tour” in Battle Creek with an executive roundtable that focused on helping local employers fill their talent pipeline with qualified workers…”

“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s post-State of the State “Home for Opportunity Tour” began on Friday, with members of the governor’s administration hosting a roundtable at Kellogg Community College’s Regional Manufacturing Technology Center.”