Edythe Copeland, CEO, CAMW! Capital Area Michigan Works!, Lansing, MI, serving Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties joins Chris Holman in the studio to discuss CAMW!'s January topic: looking back at 2019 and ahead to 2020.
To hear Edee and Chris discuss this topic, please click play on the PodCast below!
In this discussion, here's much of what they cover:
What does “connection” mean for CAMW!?
Connection for CAMW! goes much deeper than bringing together job seekers and employers. We’ve spent decades connected together with our local, state and federal government partners to be among the nation’s best in everything we do. Throughout 2019, we’ve been able to showcase the outstanding work being done by countless organizations in the capital area to support our workforce, and those successes couldn’t happen without our community and connections.
We felt these collaborations and connections are what made 2019 great, so we dedicated our 2019 annual report to the concept of “Connected Together.” The work being done every day to prepare our workforce for what's to come can’t be done by one person, program or employer, it has to be an effort by many. We wouldn’t be able to serve our community the way we do without the connections we’ve been able to make throughout the community.
What are some of CAMW!’s biggest accomplishments in 2019?
In fiscal year 2018-2019:
● 191,930 people were served at Capital Area Michigan Works! American Job Centers.
● 3,409 people were served through eight intensive programs.
● We had 201 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Adult program participants. ● We had 132 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Dislocated Worker program participants.
Connecting with education and supporting our youth is incredibly important to me, both personally and professionally.
This year: ● Nearly 3,000 students from 30 schools in four counties attended MiCareerQuest Capital Area.
● 256 youth enrolled in our Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Youth program. ● 109 people participated in Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates.
What growth did CAMW! programs accomplish in 2019?
The PATH: Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope. program had a phenomenal year. PATH helps CAMW! employees identify barriers to employment and connect clients to resources addressing those challenges. Through PATH, with assistance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we saw:
● 500 reemployment services and eligibility assessment appointments.
● 452 PATH program enrollees.
● 307 food assistant employment and training program enrollees.
When it comes to our workforce, we don’t just look for static connections with tools for talent development. We encourage employers to invest in their talent from the very beginning with training programs, apprenticeships and opportunities for current employees to continue their education.
Through CAMW!’s Business Services Team:
● 474 businesses were served.
● 1,227 jobs were filled.
● $1,651,227 Fiscal Year 2019 Going Pro Funds were secured for local businesses in the region, which they can use for customized on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs and more.
● 48 new apprentices were hired at local companies.
● 65 total new businesses connected with apprenticeship education and services.
● 4 new apprenticeship programs were established in the area.
