By Jon Becker Hearst Community Spotlight
Michigan Works! West
C entral’s Dislocated Worker program continues to help many hard-working employees get back on their feet after they’ve found themselves out of a job
S ometimes when one door closes two new doors open and Michigan Works! West C entral wants laid-off or downsized workers to know there is a place to turn if they find themselves in challenging career-related circumstances through no fault of their own.
“It is unfor tunate when a business announces layoffs or makes the decision to close its doors for good, says Jonathan Eppley C ommunication and Marketing Manager at Michigan Works! West C entral “When that happens, our Business S er vices team reaches out to the employer as quickly as possible to let those workers know they’ve got options ”
The Dislocated Worker program can provide individuals with up to 2 years of training to learn
a new skill and help them reenter the workforce–often in new positions earning more money they did at their previous job
“It’s a great program. It’s designed to help workers get back to work as quickly as possible and overcome barriers to employment,” Eppley said “If someone has been downsized, laid off or let go through no fault of their own, the Dislocated Worker Program provides ser vices and training oppor tunities to help them re-enter the workforce
It worked wonders for Tyrone Prince a former factor y worker who’s now earning more money as a corrections officer with the Mecosta C ounty Sheriff ’ s Office; and Andrez Ledezma, who also found his niche as a law enforcement officer after losing his job at an auto dealership in Fremont. B oth will tell you they benefited greatly f rom the career and training ser vices provided through a program that has proven to improve the quality of the workforce, reduce public assistance dependenc y and help produce a more robust economy
Prince’s career transformation began when, after working for more than 11 years for a Big R apids factor y, the company shut its doors and moved operations to Mexico Prince came to Michigan Works! West C entral to regroup with a burning desire to forge a new career path. He had always felt his calling was to work in law enforcement, but he lacked the extensive training needed That changed when Prince enrolled in the C orrections Academy training at Meceola Tech in Big R apids. After passing a series of physical and knowledge-based tests, Michigan Works! West C entral provided
a rejuvenated Prince help with a complete resume rewrite and career counseling guidance so he was confident and prepared for his new job search. It didn t take long for him to find a job as a corrections officer at the local jail
Ledezma, meanwhile, had lost his job at the car dealership and felt over whelmed by what came next: filing for unemployment assistance and finding his way back to the workforce The doubts and uncer tainty began to fade following Ledezma’s meeting with a Michigan Works! West C entral Talent Specialist. He mentioned his desire to become a police officer
and the Talent Specialist, moved by Ledezma’s potential steered him in the right direction.
Like Prince, Ledezma s remarkable career transformation may not have been possible without the financial assistance available through the Dislocated Worker program.
As a proud graduate of West Shore C ommunity
C ollege s Riemer Regional Public Safety Training C enter he was able to find work as a police officer with the Grant Police Depar tment within 11 days of completing
training
It s all about the right training and contacts. Michigan Works! West C entral s Dislocated Worker program can supp or t you with both and help you reenter the workforce more marketable than before If you ve been laid off and want more information about the Dislocated Worker program, visit MWWC. org/DW Michigan Works! West C entral’s team of
