In 1974, a gallon of milk cost $0.89; the average price of a new car was $4,500; median household income was $11,000; and the average annual cost of college tuition was $512. New products to hit the market 50 years ago included Skittles candy, the Rubik’s Cube, Post-It Notes, Connect 4 and Meow Mix.

Michigan Works! West Central also began providing workforce development services in 1974, operating in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo and Osceola counties (services to Oceana County were added in 2015). The organization had a different name back then, but its mission was the same – To continually improve a workforce development system that produces a workforce with the required skills to attract, retain and expand business and enhance our regional economy.

“It’s our job at Michigan Works! West Central to ensure every individual who walks through our doors has the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. We offer a wide variety of programs and services to help everyone reach their career goals,” said Shelly Keene, who became Executive Director at Michigan Works! West Central in 2019. “We also prioritize our employer partners to make sure their talent and training needs are being met through the local labor force. My team works hard every day to help make sure our local economy has a strong workforce.”

To celebrate its first 50 years of workforce development, Michigan Works! West Central is hosting a pair of open houses this month. Community members, employer partners and individuals who have benefited from any of its programs and services are invited to attend one of the upcoming events.

The two open houses will be held from 4-7 p.m. on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Big Rapids Michigan Works! West Central service center, located at 14330 Northland Drive
• Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Ludington Michigan Works! West Central service center, located at 920 E. Tinkham Ave.

Attendees will be able to watch a 50-year retrospective video, learn about some of the organization’s many success stories, sign a banner to be placed into a time capsule, network with staff and more. Light refreshments will be served.

“A lot of work has gone into getting the organization to where it is today. I think back on our first 50 years and am proud of the work that we have done throughout our region,” Keene said. “We provide a wide range of programs and services to employers and individuals. It takes every one of our staff members doing their job, and doing it well, for us to continue to be successful.”

Workforce development is the process of identifying and addressing the needs of a local labor force to improve productivity and competitiveness. This includes planning, training, and developing policies and educational programs to enhance the region’s economic stability and prosperity.

Michigan Works! West Central began providing services in 1974 under the federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), which consisted of 32 separate entities providing services throughout Michigan. Originally, the organization was known as the North Central Michigan Manpower Consortium.

Federal workforce legislation has changed several times since the organization began 50 years ago. CETA changed to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) in 1982, which later became the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in 1998. Under JTPA, the number of workforce development agencies in Michigan was reduced to 26.

The various workforce agencies across Michigan joined together in 1987, to ensure continuity of service and collective influence, creating the Michigan Works! Association, which still exists today.

Finally in 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), under which the organization currently operates, was enacted under President Barack Obama.

The number of Michigan Works! agencies further reduced to 16 in 2015, when then Gov. Rick Snyder created the Prosperity Regions. It was at that time Michigan Works! West Central acquired Oceana County, creating the six-county region it serves today.

A majority of the organization’s first 50 years of service was led by Paul Griffith, who served as executive director for 43 years. Bruce Jacobs served as executive director during the organization’s formative years, from 1974 to 1976.

“In two words, it was challenging and fun. … I enjoyed it, thoroughly,” Griffith said. “When we first started, we had three employees, and it went all the way up to 45 employees in the ‘80s. Then under Gov. John Engler, (services were contracted out) and we went down to 7 actual Michigan Works! West Central employees. … Now services are all back in-house. That’s the ebb and flow of it over a long period of time.”

The organization is overseen by a board of local employer and community agency representatives, as well as a board of elected officials from each county it represents.

“With the guidance of our Workforce Development Board and Local-Elected Officials Board, we have forged lasting bonds with local governments and our local employer partners, which has led to a stronger workforce. We have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals throughout our six-county region advance their careers and improve their lives,” Keene said. “We also have aided in attracting countless new businesses and manufacturers to the region, as well as worked with local partners to expand existing businesses with the help of our various training programs and services.”

Michigan Works! West Central offers a variety of services to individuals, including helping those who are laid off, resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, soft skills training, a wide range of in-person and video workshops, job-search assistance and so much more.

The organization also assists employers with a wide selection of training-funding assistance programs, such as the bi-annual Going PRO Talent Fund, Incumbent Worker Training program, assistance with USDOL Registered Apprenticeships, Employer-Led Collaboratives and much more.

Constantly looking to the future, Michigan Works! West Central helps to prepare the workforce of tomorrow with its young adult programs and events. Each year, the organization hosts its MiCareerQuest West Central career-exploration event, which hosts more than 1,400 ninth-grade students from across the region. During the event, students have the opportunity to talk with around 70 employers and are able to try hands-on activities related to their daily job duties. The goal of the event is to spark students’ interests in the different careers paths available locally.

The organization also prepares the next generation with its Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program, work experience opportunities and more. Michigan Works! West Central also highlights young professionals in the workforce who are excelling in their fields with its annual “20 Under 30” magazine.

“Reaching this 50-year milestone is a testament to Michigan Works! West Central’s commitment to excellence in workforce development,” said Ryan Hundt, Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Works! Association. “Over the decades, they’ve adapted to changing economic landscapes while always prioritizing the needs of communities and residents throughout the region. We are proud to celebrate this significant anniversary with them.”

There are thousands of success stories of individuals who have benefited from Michigan Works! West Central’s programs and services during the past 50 years.

“When I hear about any of our many success stories, my first thoughts are ‘Wow, my staff did that!’” Keene said. “I have an amazing team, and they just changed that person’s life. It’s very heartwarming for me to reflect on those success stories, knowing that my team did that, that it made a difference in a person’s life.”

As the organization celebrates its first 50 years of workforce development, the team at Michigan Works! West Central is preparing for the future. Staff continually seeks out ways to utilize new technologies to improve its program and service delivery to both employers and individuals. But with the rapid pace that technology advances, it’s difficult to know what skills the jobs of the future will require.

“In terms of seeing what’s in the organization’s future, it’s hard to say what’s next,” Griffith said. “Technology is driving so much (change), I wouldn’t have a clue and wouldn’t want to speculate what’s next.”

Whatever the next 50 years hold, the team at Michigan Works! West Central will be ready. Those looking to advance their careers are encouraged to come talk to the team at Michigan Works! West Central.

“Our organization would not be as successful as it is today without everyone doing their best day in and day out,” Keene said. “I know our team will be ready for whatever changes, challenges, technologies and projects come our way. We’re looking forward to our next 50 years.”

For more information about Michigan Works! West Central’s various programs and services, and to find the service center nearest you, visit MWWC.org.