I recently visited the brand new offices of Southfield Michigan Works! Located on the campus of Lawrence Technological University (LTU), this modern facility is located close to Southfield’s City Centre District, which is the hub of major corporations as well as city government. It is one of eight Oakland County Michigan Works! offices.
Oakland County, City of Southfield, and Lawrence Technological University officials at the ribbon-cutting for Southfield Michigan Works!
Unlike the previous location, this is easily accessible to both employers and job seekers. Experienced professional career advisors, licensed counselors, business service specialists, and veteran services specialists are on site to offer support. Clients can also access computers, printers, and private offices that allow one-on-one career counseling, plus training rooms to prepare for interviews, resume writing, and career assessments.
The new location allows Southfield Michigan Works! to connect job seekers with employers and help create a pipeline for in-demand, fast-growing careers. Southfield is a strong advocate for transit, and negotiated with DDOT and SMART to re-route buses and stops to enable easier access for job seekers and workers.
Successful workforce development depends on helping employers find talent, connecting job seekers with resources and training, educating students about fast-growing careers and internships, and increasing access to transportation and other services that address challenges facing clients. Meeting these needs requires a strong commitment to collaboration, and Southfield has several unique partnerships.
LTU Collaboratory
Southfield Michigan Works! chose to partner with LTU not only because of its location in the heart of the city, but also to tap into the university’s entrepreneurship and technology resources. The LTU Collaboratory – a 15,000-square-foot space for incubation for technology companies – will offer maker-spaces, workshops for entrepreneurs who need help turning ideas into reality or growing their companies, business counseling, and funding for start-ups.
Jeffrey Granat, Business Services Specialist, Southfield Michigan Works!; Lisa Straske, Manager of Southfield Michigan Works!; Rochelle Freeman, Business and Economic Development Director, City of Southfield
Rochelle Freeman, Business and Economic Development Director for the City of Southfield helped negotiate this development and says, “The Collaboratory will inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs by creating synergy through a dynamic partnership with the city, LTU, Southfield Public Schools, Southfield-based businesses, Oakland County, Automation Alley, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It will also help create a more sustainable community by creating jobs, helping to reduce unemployment, and retain and attract families who see the opportunities in the city.”
CISCO Networking Academy
Southfield Michigan Works! has partnered with CISCO – based in Southfield – to provide a series of free self-paced training programs in technology-related fields such as networking, cyber security, and entrepreneurship. With more than 2,000 technology companies in Oakland County, the CISCO Networking Academy helps create a pipeline of future technology workers by providing a foundational knowledge that individuals can build on through programs at local colleges. Jeffrey Granat, Business Services Specialist, administers these programs which range from 15-70 hours each. He says, “The interactive courses give people a taste of technology careers which makes them want more. If they are eligible, Michigan Works! can even help to fund advanced IT courses at local colleges.”
Southfield Public Schools Partnership Council
Southfield Michigan Works! has been working with Southfield Public Schools to make CISCO Networking Academy even more comprehensive. Juniors and seniors who take the program are prepared for entry-level jobs in the technology industry upon graduation or for post-secondary education in the field. Southfield Michigan Works! office staff work with students to provide employability workshops, job referrals, and internships using their contacts in the business community.
Business Services
The new space provides businesses with the opportunity to hold recruitment fairs directly on site.
Performance Driven Workforce (PDW) is a scheduling and staffing firm that recruits for entry- to mid-level jobs such as vehicle evaluators, mechanics, and test drivers for many of the largest automotive manufacturers in Southeast Michigan. About 75 percent of its 1,800 employees are in Michigan and about 50 percent of its hiring is done through Michigan Works! in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb/St. Clair, and Genesee Counties, and in the City of Detroit. Crescenda Mickels, Recruitment Manager for PDW, was at the Southfield office looking to hire 50 new employees for Oakland County businesses. She appreciates the excellent new facilities and very professional business liaison staff who help identify candidates, enthusiastically saying, “MI Works! Works for PDW.”
Michigan Works! professional staff can help people sort out their careers goals, career assistance, use social media for professional branding, and produce dynamic resumes that tell employers what they bring to the table – not just a list of past jobs. Lisa Straske, Manager of the Southfield office says, “Ultimately, Michigan Works! helps create the right talent base through re-tooling and re-skilling people for high-growth, high-demand careers, in partnership with employers in a non-threatening environment.”
Southfield Michigan Works! is located at 21415 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076. Call (248) 796-4580 for hours and directions.
Leave a Reply