The Pure Michigan Talent Connect team is holding multiple webinars this Fall 2014 to show users how to get the most out of MiTalent.org. Training sessions will be offered on the following dates:

• Monday, September 29, 2014 (1:00-3:00 p.m.)
• Wednesday, October 29, 2014 (1:00-3:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, November 25, 2014 (1:00-3:00 p.m.)

The next Employer Training Session is taking place on Monday, September 29from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Employer Training Session Outline:

• Post a Job
• Candidate Search
• Email Blasts
• Report Refusal to Work
• Job Maintenance
• Other Resources

Click here to sign up for the September 29 Employer Training Session

Click here to sign up for the October 29 Employer Training Session

Click here to sign up for the November 25 Employer Training Session

If you're interested in Pure Michigan Talent Connect training at your facility, please contact us at talentassist@michigan.org.

Cheers,

Amy Cell

Senior Vice President, Talent Enhancement

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

You are invited to be a part of the 2014 Michigan Veteran Expos, hosted by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. More than just another hiring fair, the 2014 Michigan Veteran Expos serve as one-stop shops for veterans and their families looking for information on services and resources that will set them up for success, regardless of what stage of life they are in.

The 2014 Michigan Veteran Expos will bring together employers, healthcare providers, educational institutions, counselors, and other community resources and associations that serve veterans and their families - all under one roof. 

Below is a list of upcoming events, dates, and locations:

Detroit Veteran Expo
November 7 & 8, 2014
Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair on November 8
Cobo Center
1 Washington Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226 

Click here for more information on exhibitor and registration opportunities, and to register for the Veteran Expo events.

For more information, visit www.MichiganVeterans.com

The Michigan Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has developed a program to address employment needs that is drawing attention from the Singapore business community. The WDA recently hosted the Singapore Workforce Development Agency to share best practices and its unique Michigan Industry Cluster Approach.

MICA creates a framework in which many employers within a single industry engage with the WDA to identify a demand for talent.

In this approach, talent issues may be handled more efficiently through multi-company, industry-focused training programs. Regionally, Michigan Works! Agencies bring together employers, education providers, economic development organizations, and other groups associated with workforce development to solve talent challenges. Local industry clusters are formed based on local needs and are led by employers.

“When we came across the Michigan Industry Cluster Approach, we felt that Michigan’s experience in integrating the cluster approach throughout its entire workforce system held useful insights for our own efforts to strengthen the link between skills supply and how the skills acquired are utilized in the workplace,” said Ng Cher Pong, chief executive of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency.

“I was surprised on how similar our issues, concerns and opportunities were between our two agencies,” said Christine Quinn,” director of the WDA.

For example, the need to build the pipeline into skilled jobs that don’t necessitate four or more years of college but to include apprenticeship or other training and credentialing as well as educating parents, teachers and youth about the multiple alternative paths to a great career.

In Michigan, the WDA has initially identified five state priority industry clusters: Agriculture, Energy, Health Care, Information Technology & Media, and Manufacturing. A team of specialists within these five clusters are responsible for driving workforce development efforts toward meeting the skill needs within these clusters.

There is growing evidence that industry clusters are an effective organizing framework for positively impacting economic and workforce development activities. More than 25 states have adopted cluster strategies as the way to do business. Michigan, however, is taking this strategy to the next level by implementing the Michigan Industry Cluster Approach throughout the workforce system making the state a model for workforce development agencies around the world.

To learn more about the Michigan Industry Cluster Approach or to see how your company can get involved, click here.