Northwest Michigan WORKS! Job Seeker Services

Career Planning Workshops guide you through the process of determining the best career fit for you. We use web-based tools to gauge your interests and work values, and create a list of possible career choices. You can then research those career choices, learn which are in demand in our region, and decide on the option that is best.

Career Advisors will then assist you in developing a plan for preparing for that career. This may include training in a classroom or on the job, focused job search, and/or networking.

See the calendar at your local Service Center for a schedule of Career Planning Workshops, or call to sign up.

Also called "No Worker Left Behind," Classroom Training is a program offering assistance with the costs of learning new skills in order to get a job that is in demand in your area. Eligibility requirements apply, and funding is limited. Visit the No Worker Left Behind page to learn more.

The Trade Act program (also called TAA or TGAAA) offers financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs due to competition from companies in other countries. The benefits may include the costs of training for a new career and extended unemployment payments while in training. The company affected must be certified by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Jobs, Education and Training (JET) is a program for people receiving cash assistance. To be eligible, you must be referred from the Department of Human Services. The program includes required attendance and participation in activities such as Job Search and Job Readiness, Work Experience, Community Service, and more. Participants must account for a minimum number of hours in the program in order to receive their cash assistance payments.

Each Northwest Michigan Works! Service Center hosts a Resource Room, which is open to the general public for job search purposes. Internet-connected computers, copiers, fax machine, and phones are available. A job board displays current job openings.

Also, Career Advisors are available for one-on-one assistance with career planning, job search guidance, resume-writing and interviewing skill development.

Learning Labs offer GED Preparation, English as a Second Language, Math and Language basic skill upgrades, and much more.

On-the-Job Training is a type of training offered under the name "No Worker Left Behind." A company hires a job seeker as a permanent employee, and gets reimbursed a portion of the individual's wages in order to train him or her for the job.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) counselors are available for individual appointments in every Northwest Michigan Works! Service Center. MRS assists individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment. Visit www.michigan.gov/mrs or call 922-5260 (TTY/Voice: 922-5260).

Resume writing assistance is available in a variety of ways. The computers in every Resource Room have resume-writing software, which guide you through the process in easy to follow steps. Also, staff are available for basic assistance with the computers.

Resume writing workshops are offered in the Service Centers every week. See the calendar section of the Service Center web site nearest you.

Career Advisors are available for one-on-one assistance with resume writing.

Interests assessments are conducted at the Career Planning workshop once per week in every Service Center. Use the results of these assessments to determine the best career path for you.

Skills assessments are conducted through the WorkKeys system at the Career Assessment workshop. The WorkKeys test measure your ability to perform in math, reading, and locating information on the job. The combination of these three tests result in a National Career Readiness Certificate, which can be presented to potential employers.

Northwest Michigan Works! complies with the Jobs for Veterans Act by giving veterans and eligibile spouses priority status for all programs. This includes No Worker Left Behind.

In addition, staff from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth are available in every Northwest Michigan Works! Service Center to provide intensive services to veterans and eligibile spouses of veterans.

Agricultural Employment Specialists from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth are located in the Traverse City and Manistee Service Centers. They offer specialized employment assistance to migrant and seasonal farm workers and work directly with agricultural employers.

Northwest Michigan Works! recently launched the "Discover Yourself" series of workshops. A variety of short workshops are offered in every Service Center. They include Job Seeker 101, Intro to Interviewing, Personal Action Plan, Study Skills, Teamwork, and much more. Click here to view workshop descriptions. Visit the calendar section of the Service Center web site nearest you for a schedule.

Northwest Michigan Works! offers specialized employment services for youth ages 16 to 21. This includes work experience programs, credit recovery, drop-out prevention, and more. We also partner with the Charlevoix Public School district to offer high school completion at a residential alternative school on Beaver Island.