The goals of the ABC/WMC Workforce Development Team are to attract talent to our industry by:

• Increasing awareness of the incredible opportunities and pathways available in the construction industry
• Creating opportunities for students and adults to be exposed and immersed in the vast array of careers in the industry
• Designing training programs that allow individuals to prepare for a career in construction

This information comes from Amy Pierce-Danders, Director of Workforce Development at Associated Builders and Contractors - Western MI Chapter.  Feel free to contact Amy at [email protected] with any questions.

ABC/WMC Involvement

• Interest Inventory Conversation: Do you love educating the masses about the amazing world of construction or about how it has impacted your life?  Perhaps your gift is words where you can paint a story using your voice, maybe it’s touring guests on a job site so that visitors walk away understanding the many parts of the puzzle and project vision, or maybe the thought of serving on a brainstorming groups gives you excited goosebumps.  I want to have a conversation with you about the areas of workforce development that spark your interest.
• Workforce Development Peer Group: Several members have shared interest in ABC/WMC starting up a Workforce Development Peer Group.  The vision is a monthly breakfast or lunch gathering to hear about initiatives that can help attract and retain individuals to our industry as well as a safe space to share best practices and workforce challenges.  Would a peer group around workforce development be of interest to you?

 

Company/Site Tour

• Kent ISD Career Readiness: We are partnering with the Kent ISD Career Readiness team to deliver four Talk & Tour Career Series events during the 2019/20 school year.  Talk & Tours are an opportunity for students in 7^th – 12^th grade and a significant adult in their life, i.e. parent, mentor, etc. to see what is happening behind the scenes of a local company.   The event involves welcoming up to 30 individuals (or more if you have the room) into your space for a tour, conversation, and hands-on activity from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Does this opportunity speak to you?

 

Exhibit

• MiCareerQuest: Mark your calendars – MiCareerQuest 2020 will be on May 13, 2020.  Our planning meeting schedule for the construction sector will be shared in early fall.  Stay tuned!

 

Interview Opportunity

• Vocational Village: Did you know that Vocational Village shares out resumes monthly of student inmates who are scheduled for release?  These gentlemen have successfully completed an employability skills course, NCCER Core plus additional NCCER curriculum in their pathway of training: Building Trades, Electrical, Plumbing, or Welding.  Want to start receiving the resume packets?

 

Subject Matter Guest

• Construction Career Jump Start: ABC/WMC continues to expand our partnership with area high schools; for the second year GRCC M-TEC will be offering Construction Career Jump Start to high school seniors.  We kick off each Friday at 9:00 a.m. with a 10-minute “Career Conversation” – a subject matter expert sharing insight into the industry and their career pathway.  Our theme for this year is “Fields in Motion” – I am looking for individuals, i.e. laborer, apprentice, crew leader, foremen, owner/operator, etc. who work on the job site daily to share their story.  Would you share your story?
• GRPS Innovation Central High School – Academy for Design & Construction (ADC): On the third Monday of the month from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Innovation Central HS, hosts “Center of Innovation” meetings so their 150 ADC students can hear from industry experts about their role, industry, etc.  Guests have approximately 20-minutes to share their story and 5-minutes of Q&A.  Our theme for this year is “Trades in Action.” I am looking for guests from the design and construction sectors to share their story, is that you?  As a true believer in “people cannot be what they cannot see” I would love our professionals of color to seriously consider this speaking opportunity so ADC students can hear from professionals that reflect the student population.
• Hamilton Community Schools and Saugatuck Public Schools: Hamilton Community Schools and Saugatuck Public Schools have teamed up to provide 9^th and 10^th grade students with unique opportunities to grow and interact with business and industry professionals through "Prep4Success" events.  Students travel to the GVSU-Meijer campus in Holland and are led through activities by a teacher facilitator.  Business professionals are placed in groups of 5-8 students to complete activities and lead discussions around various topics that will impact them in the future.  This is a great way to improve the employability skills of our future workforce and help them learn about the various careers and businesses that are in our community.  Event dates will be: September 27 (Topic: Your "digital" brand-freshman), October 25 (Topic: Your "unplugged" brand-freshman), March 20 (Topic: Getting a job-sophomores), May 1 (Topic: Keeping a job-sophomores).  Does this sound like something you’d enjoy?
• Kentwood Public Schools: Kentwood Public Schools believes that planting the seed and exposing students to STEM careers in their primary school years is an important component in the educational journey of today's learners so each year they host STEM Day for every 5^th grader in their district.  The goal for these events is for KPS students to gain exposure to what STEM looks like, as well as jobs and careers that are available in these areas.  Guest presenters will deliver three, 25-minute break-out sessions (same topic) to groups of 18-20 students.  Break-out sessions include a hands-on activity and discussion about your company and career pathway and how it ties into STEM.  Event dates for the 2019/20 school year are: September 13, October 11, October 25 and November 15; each event is from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and is held at a different elementary school.  Would you be interested in participating in one (or more) of these events?
• MI Bright Future: Too few students and jobseekers are completing degrees and certifications in high-demand fields, causing many Michigan companies to struggle and compete with one another to find the workers they need.  Through MI Bright Future, career professionals connect with local students to begin shaping their future workforce and expand the available talent pool.  MI Bright Future’s collaboration between students, educators, and employers aims to introduce young jobseekers to the state’s growing occupations through an easy-to-use communication platform and grow partnerships between industry and K-12 schools. By simplifying the connections between employers and students, MI Bright Future allows professionals who utilize the platform to connect with their future workforce and nurture their professional development through career and company message boards, company profiles, and a database of work-based learning opportunities accessible by both students and their educators.  Would you like to learn more?

Work-based Learning

• Ambassador High School: Ambassador High is a school within a school at Calvin Christian High School that provides students with opportunities to discover and apply their God-given talents through community-based learning to live their lives to the fullest.  The entire learning experience at Ambassador High is individualized based on the interests and goals of each student.  Our process of personalization involves providing the right measure of challenge and support for each student in each activity to promote growth.  Students are connected to real world experiences through community partnerships twice a week for the entire school day. A student's internship placement includes a job site mentor who is an expert in their field, authentic projects, and exposure to the intersections between their interests and career opportunities.  Are you interested in learning more?
• NorthPointe Christian High School: Big Picture Learning at NorthPointe High School is a nontraditional learning environment for students where curriculum is tailor made, individual and interest-based approach, with emphasis on hands-on learning and the real world.  Big Picture Learning connects students with industry profession to a greater extent than traditional education.  Students spend three days a week at NorthPointe and two days a week immersed in the real world.  Individualized curriculums include observations and work experiences in local businesses and agencies.  These opportunities give students greater insight into their skills and talents allowing their gifts to shine.  I’d love to learn more about Big Picture Learning!
• Northview Next: Northview Public School’s alternative education program has a new name this year: Northview Next!  The schools focus on career readiness through its “Future Focused Fridays” program continues to evolve, this year the program will include internships for students.  Please contact Amy Pierce-Danders at [email protected] for more information.