You have to love it when a plan comes together, and works along the way. You also have to appreciate it even more when the plan not only works but also garners some recognition from the state capitol in the process. Such is the case this week in Lansing and Benton Harbor. State leaders came together to honor Michigan business leaders for their efforts to create jobs and develop fresh talent in their communities at the Michigan Works! Impact Awards yesterday. In the case of Michigan’s Great Southwest, local economic development and employment successes were among those celebrated, with both Kinexus and Chassix being recognized by lawmakers and statewide talent development officials.
As a leading global supplier of precision chassis casting and machining solutions and a premier employer in Southwest Michigan, Chassix has worked in collaboration with Kinexus on candidate placement, On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs, Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF), job fairs and Employer Resource Network (ERN), which is the newest program offered through this partnership.
Tracy McCullough is Human Resources Manager at Chassix. She says, “Partnering with Kinexus and utilizing the services available have not only been instrumental in the development of an effective talent pipeline, it has allowed us to provide additional training opportunities for our employees. Chassix will continue to partner with Kinexus and utilize the excellent services that they provide.”
State Senator John Proos from St. Joseph cited the partnership between Chassix and Kinexus as, “A model for our entire region, offering a glimpse into what’s possible when key resources and employer needs are combined together into a lasting, sustainable set of solutions.”
The Michigan Works! Impact Awards bring lawmakers and economic achievers together for a unique look at the work that’s transforming Michigan’s economic vitality. Dozens of honorees from across the state received awards presented by their local lawmakers and state workforce development officials.
Todd Gustafson, CEO at Kinexus says, “Our region’s $2 billion manufacturing industry drives our regional economy. Nearly 18,000 jobs or roughly one of five jobs in Southwest Michigan are in manufacturing. Our partnership with Chassix is an example of how we are preparing that industry for the future by weaving together multiple resources to support continued growth.”
Award winners included Michigan businesses, partners, employees and Michigan Works! Agencies from across the state. During the event, lawmakers presented tributes to award winners, who shared their stories and the role Michigan Works! played in their success.
Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan’s workforce development system. For more information, you can visit www.michiganworks.org.
Kinexus is a nonprofit organization that invests millions in funding each year in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties through integrated business, workforce, and community development. For more information, go to www.Kinexus.org or follow along on Twitter @KinexusGroup and Facebook at facebook.com/KinexusGroup.
