Updates From the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons: March 2023

If you have a physical impairment that prevents you from holding a physical book, or if standard print has become difficult to read, you can sign up to receive free audio and braille books from the Braille & Talking Book Library! 

The library has more than 135,000 audio and braille books. You can even get books delivered right to your home or download them through the BARD mobile app - all for FREE! 

Go to Michigan.gov/BTBL to get started or call 1-800-992-9012.  

There's been a lot of buzz in recent months about the automotive mobility and electrification industry – and many career seekers are wondering how they can get involved. That’s where the EV Jobs Academy comes in!

The Michigan Electric Vehicle Jobs Academy (EV Jobs Academy) supports the careers of tomorrow, today. This new state-led collaborative is developing education and training solutions to meet the advanced automotive mobility and electrification industry’s talent needs.

With more than 100 partners including employers, industry stakeholders and education institutions, the EV Jobs Academy is driving the state’s advanced mobility talent development for the future.

Through the EV Jobs Academy, participants can receive assistance with tuition and supportive services, including “earn while you learn” opportunities through Registered Apprenticeship. Learn more at Michigan.gov/EVJobsAcademy. 

Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org) is the state labor exchange system that connects job seekers with Michigan employers. To ensure the best experience for job seekers, all employer accounts undergo a comprehensive approval process. This ensures there are fewer incidents of fraud and that the job postings you see are from legitimate employers.

Other than current job openings, you’ll also find career events and resources to help you find your next opportunity. Or, create a FREE job seeker account to access even more resources. Just head to MiTalent.org to get started.

February was Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month! CTE offers college students hands-on training that can be applied to real-world training and career pathways. In 2022, approximately 113,821 postsecondary students either enrolled in CTE courses and/or declared a CTE program of study leading to a credential, certificate, and/or associate degree.

Explore the variety of CTE programs across the state that prepare you for successful career entry, advancement and/or continuing education at Pathfinder.MiTalent.org.

Pathfinder, Michigan’s free online career exploration tool, uses current education and labor market information to help you explore career options, training, wages and projected openings. You can even filter by high schools that offer CTE programs. Head to Pathfinder.MiTalent.org to get started.