Michigan Works! Southwest brings employers, educators, economic development organizations and other community partners together to solve employment challenges
Michigan Works! Southwest works with our partners to identify industry specific opportunities within our service area. Healthcare, manufacturing, advanced information technology, and energy are experiencing healthy growth and see a need for talent development. Employers are encouraged to join their local consortium focus area and to access available resources. Within each industry Michigan Works! Southwest looks at talent shortages, ways to improve jobs training, and employee recruitment and retention strategies.
The Southwest Michigan Healthcare Consortium is an employer-led collaborative that was established around 2010. It is comprised of over 100 members from Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties. The consortium’s success relies on the members understanding the need to check any competition at the door and work together for shared purposes.
The Southwest Michigan Healthcare Consortium’s purposes include but are not limited to: Sharing industry information and challenges; Sharing ideas for potential solutions to the challenges identified; Collaborating on projects that promote and improve the industry.
Who can join the Consortium? Healthcare employers, local community colleges and universities, and other training providers that provide courses to educate the industry’s workforce. As well as non-profit organizations that can provide benefits such as: grants and other funding related to training the workforce, assistance in finding potential candidates for employment, assistance in establishing apprenticeships, and assistance in helping employers to other resources.
How can I learn more? Contact a member of the Michigan Works! Southwest Business Solutions Team with any question or to request a sample of the previous meeting agenda and minutes for a sample of items discussed.
The Advanced IT Solutions Consortium is an employer led collaborative that was established around 2023. It is comprised of over 40 members from all four counties located in the Michigan Works! Southwest Service Area. The consortium’s success relies on the members working together for shared purposes.
The Advanced Information Technology Solutions Consortium’s purposes include but are not limited to: Design trainings solutions for industry workforce challenges; Training employees (new and incumbent) in skills for jobs that will remain in Michigan; Target and develop individuals in economically disadvantaged/underrepresented populations.
Who can join the Consortium? Businesses, labor organizations, industry associations, community leaders, public officials, and educational training providers.
How can I learn more? Contact a member of the Michigan Works! Southwest Business Solutions Team with any question or to request a sample of the previous meeting agenda and minutes for a sample of items discussed.
The Battle Creek Manufacturer’s Consortium is an employer led collaborative established around 2017. It is comprised of Battle Creek area manufacturers, and the consortium’s success relies on the members working together for shared purposes.
The Battle Creek Manufacturer’s Consortium’s purposes include but are not limited to: Sharing industry information and challenges, sharing ideas for potential solutions to the challenges identified, and sharing best practices used in their business. Collaborating on events and projects that promote and improve the industry such as Manufacturing Day are also a priority.
Who can join the Consortium? Employers in the greater Battle Creek area that are connected to the manufacturing industry. Partners that support the work of these area employers such as community-based organizations, community colleges, public officials, and industry associations.
How can I learn more? Contact a member of the Michigan Works! Southwest Business Solutions Team with any questions or to request a sample of the previous meeting agenda and minutes for a sample of items discussed.
The Branch County HR Roundtable was established in the fall of 2025. It was created by and for Human Resources Generalists and Managers within Branch County. The roundtable’s success relies on HR teams coming together each month to learn about topics they have identified, discuss common challenges, and share best practices for creating successful teams.
The Branch County HR Roundtable’s purposes include but are not limited to: Sharing information and best practices, learning about resources available to employers, and discussing common HR challenges and potential solutions. Topics have included Michigan Works! Southwest employer services, including Retention Solutions, USDOL Registered Apprenticeships and how to get one started, and the Going PRO Talent Fund and application process. The group has also discussed economic trends, FMLA, and other topics relevant to HR professionals.
Who can join the Consortium?Anyone working in Human Resources at a company in Branch County is welcome to join. The group meets monthly in Coldwater.
How can I learn more? Contact a member of the Michigan Works! Southwest Business Solutions Team for more information about the Branch County HR Roundtable or to learn how to participate.
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