A New Way to Create a Talent Pipeline

Hundreds of employers are learning about opportunities to bring heavy equipment, simulators, tools, and hands-on exhibits to a new career exploration event for area middle and high schoolers.

Called MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan, the event will take place October 30, 2019 at the SVSU Ryder Center, drawing as many as 10,000 students (and their teachers, counselors and career navigators) from an 11-county area including Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Iosco, Midland, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Saginaw.

Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! and Michigan Works! 7B are leading the creation of the massive MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan event and are hosting employer information sessions over the next two weeks to bring employers up to speed on ways to participate.

YOU are invited to attend and learn more! In fact, your participation is vital – for the event and for the creation of a pipeline for talent for your future workforce!

 Here are the upcoming informational sessions:

Can’t make it? Watch a recorded session on Facebook: @MiCareerQuestMiddleMichigan

UPDATE: If you missed the employer information sessions for MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan, contact your BST rep for information about how you can participate as an exhibitor or sponsor.

Event goals:

The goal of the event is to create an experience unlike any other career and college-readiness event – with interactive, hands-on, informational and inspiring career opportunities delivered directly to students from working professionals in high-demand industries.

Employers from five industry sectors – Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Business, Construction, Health Sciences and Information Technology – will
work together to brainstorm and produce exciting exhibits within SVSU’s Ryder Center for the event.

“Imagine CNC machines, CPR dummies, robots, drones, and cranes – all up close and personal with no “Do Not Touch” signs in sight,” says Chris Rishko, CEO of Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! “We hope to help students find their future in an exciting new way, while also laying the ground work to build a much-needed talent pipeline for employers.”

Mark Berdan, executive director of Michigan Works! Region 7B, says, “This is not your typical career fair. In fact, it’s not a career fair at all. It’s going to be an unmatched opportunity for employers to work together within their industries to help youth better understand the strong career options available right here in Michigan.”

Ways to contribute:

Employers can contribute and participate in many ways, including sponsorship, leadership in the planning committee, championing the overall composition and flow of an industry’s exhibits, and by exhibiting the day of the event.

What’s next:

School districts from all 11 counties will begin registering for MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan on April 15.  Beginning April 1, a dedicated website at www.micareerquestmm.com will provide event details as they unfold.

Though this is the first event of its kind in the Middle Michigan area, MiCareerQuest events have taken place in west, southeast and southwest Michigan with tremendous success.