Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Hospitality RSA

Grant Amount:   $100,000

Grant Year:  2006

Service Region:  Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Counties

Convener:  Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren

Primary Partners:  Employers (4), Educational (2), Unions/Trade Associations (1), MWA (1), Economic Development(2), Other (0)

Industry Focus:  Hospitality & Tourism

Occupational Focus: Skilled Labor in Hospitality and General Employability Skills

Summary:  The MiRSA was established to address an anticipated increase in demand for skilled labor in the hospitality industry as a result of the Harbor Shores Redevelopment project.  The MiRSA will implement the recommendations of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) study of labor and training needs for the area.

Michigan Direct Care Worker Readiness Training Program

Grant Amount: $50,000

Grant Year: 2005

Service Region: Statewide

Convener: Michigan Direct Care Workforce Initiative

Primary Partners:Employers (8), Educational (3), Unions/Trade Associations (9), MWA (2), Faith/Community Based (1), Economic Development (0), Other (16)

Industry Focus:  Healthcare

Occupational Focus: Long-Term Care, Certified Nurse Aides, Home Health Aides, and Personal Home Care Aides

Summary: The Michigan Direct Care Workforce Readiness Training Program is focused on increasing retention of the direct care workforce by initially recruiting strong candidates into the field.  This process would include matching skill and aptitude with occupational expectations based upon standards as presented by industry employers and current industry employees.

The Michigan Direct Care Worker Readiness Training Program was designated as a MiRSA just prior to the end of FY 2005.

Southwest Michigan Regional Health Care Skills Alliance

Grant Amount: $88,000

Grant Year: 2004

Service Region: Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties

Co-Conveners: Calhoun Intermediate School District, Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works!, and Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren

Primary Partners: Employers (10), Educational (4), Unions/Trade Associations (1), MWA (3), Faith/Community Based (2), Other (3)

Industry Focus:  Health Care

Occupational Focus: Nurses Aides and other entry-level workers

Summary: The MiRSA seeks to promote the economic health and welfare of local health care employers and their workers.  The MiRSA will convene health care summits throughout the region to share best practices, assist in strategies to strengthen retention and enhance recruitment and assist in marketing the range of direct patient care and allied health care occupations to youth, dislocated workers, and users of employment service center.  Additional activities include working toward offering career ladders and other strategies to low income workers that will lead to self-sufficiency and make health care an even greater "selling point" for economic development in the region.

Michigan Works! Regional Healthcare Alliance
(Berrien Cass Van Buren Healthcare)

Grant Amount: $100,000

Grant Year:  2007

Service Region: Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties

Convener:  Michigan Works! Berrien Cass Van Buren

Primary Partners: Employers (8), Educational (4), Economic Development Partners (2), MWA (1)

Industry Focus: Healthcare

Occupational Focus: Identifying workforce needs and skills of healthcare employers

Summary:  The MiRSA was established to work with local employers and training providers to develop a coordinated approach to addressing the regional workforce needs within the healthcare industry.   The MiRSA plans to develop an incumbent worker referral process, review candidates and scholarships, and develop clinical placement and work experience opportunities for students through the MiRSA employers.

Southwest Michigan Regional Manufacturing Alliance

Grant Amount/Year:               $91,000 (2008)

Service Region:                     Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties

Convener:                                Michigan Works! Berrien Cass Van Buren

Primary Partners:                   Employers (7), Educational (4), MWA (1), Economic Development (3) Other (1)

Industry Focus:                       Advanced Manufacturing

Occupational Focus:              Manufacturing Workers

Summary: One of the main components of this MiRSA is the focus on re-branding the manufacturing Industry and showing people that it is a viable career option in the state of Michigan that offers wages that are family sustaining.  This MiRSA is developing and implementing an RSA led training program through the Michigan Works! Agency.  This MiRSA plans to attack the problem in their area by first educating the emergent workforce and dislocated workers about the opportunities within the industry.  Secondly, developing training programs that will provide job seekers with a core set of skills that employers can use as a foundation for their internal training.  The final area of focus is the development of an immediate pipeline to assist in filling the current gaps.