January 2023

Tuition Free College With Michigan Reconnect

Michigan Reconnect offers Michiganders 25 years or older with a high school diploma a low-cost path to a college education.

The program pays the remaining balance of in-district tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied. Students who attend out of-district community colleges will receive a large tuition discount.

If you’ve been thinking about starting or returning to college to prepare for a secure and rewarding career, now’s the time. Go to Michigan.gov/Reconnect for more information.

Explore Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Did you know you can receive personalized vocational rehabilitation services to help you meeting your employment goals through the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)?

You can also opt-in to receive important information from BSBP and MRS when you create an account on Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org).

Persons with disabilities can also use the Pure Michigan Talent Connect Advanced Job Search feature to identify opportunities that interest you.

Visit MiTalent.org, begin an Advanced Search, and be sure to select the People with Disabilities option under Job Characteristics.

Work in the Great Michigan Outdoors This Summer

Know someone who might be looking for work this summer? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has seasonal park worker positions at Michigan state parks for the spring and summer seasons.

These are great positions for college students, retirees or those that love to work in the outdoors. Positions start at $15 per hour. The department is also hiring seasonal park rangers! Learn more at Michigan.gov/DNRJobs.

Looking for a Job? Join LEO's Team!

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is actively hiring for several positions – these are jobs that support Michiganders!

Current opportunities include Departmental and Financial Analysts, Employment Services Interviewer, Industrial Hygienist, Rehabilitation Counselors and more!

If you're passionate about supporting our state's residents and businesses, explore State of Michigan job openings today!

Thanks to MiREACH, a Great Healthcare Career Is Now Within Your Reach

Michigan Rural Enhanced Access to Careers in Healthcare (MiREACH) provides free on-ramps to healthcare careers.

Through support provided by MiREACH, you can receive the education and training needed to get started in a rewarding, in-demand healthcare career.

You’ll also receive on-the-job experience, and you may also be eligible for various wraparound supports such as transportation and childcare assistance.

Perhaps just as importantly, MiREACH offers the opportunity to make a positive, meaningful impact in our community.

Interested in earning a paycheck in a career with great advancement opportunities? Go to Michigan.gov/MiREACH.

Ready for a New Job This Year? Michigan Works! Can Help!

Did you know you can receive support with your job hunt at your local Michigan Works! Service Center?

Local service centers offer a variety of resources including resume assistance, interview coaching, job search guidance, training opportunities, and much more.

Representatives at your local service center can also enroll you in any support programs you may qualify for.

Find your local Michigan Works! Service Center, a proud partner of the American Job Center, at MichiganWorks.org or by calling 1-800-285-WORKS.

Savings Tips For the New Year

Spend a little more than planned over the holidays? The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services put together a resource on developing a savings and spending plan to get your budget in place this year.

A couple of best practices to keep in mind are:

Spend less than your income
Take control of how you spend your money
Build an emergency fund to cover at least three months of living expenses

Go to their website for the full list and for information about how to manage your bills if you find yourself in debt.

Pure Michigan Talent Connect Career Events Calendar

Virtual & In-Person Job Fairs: Approved work search activities

Did you know participating in a virtual job fair can serve as an approved work search activity for unemployment benefits claimants?

A schedule of upcoming virtual and in-person job fairs is available on the Pure Michigan Talent Connect Career Events Calendar. Among the upcoming events:

West Michigan Virtual Job FairJan. 18, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Customer Appreciation/Quality Dairy Hiring Event (in-person event) Jan. 18, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.7120 Lansing Rd, Dimondale, MI 48821

First Class Healthcare Staffing Job Fair (in-person event)Jan. 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.GLB Michigan Works! - Saginaw Service Center 312 E Genesee Ave, Saginaw, MI 48607

Kelly Services Employer of the Day (in-person event)Jan. 23, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.Capital Area Michigan Works! 2110 S Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48910

Be sure to check MiTalent.org often for the latest job and career events.

Be Job Ready in Six Months With a Google Career Certificate Scholarship

Scholarships for the Google Career Certificates are still available, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training is excited to help bring these scholarships to our state.

The Google Career Certificate program can help you get on the fast track to a competitively paid job in a high-growth field. You don’t need relevant experience or a degree to complete this flexible, online job training. Just put the skills, passion, and ambition you already have to work.

Explore what the program has to offer at grow.google/certificates. Learn more about how the Google Career Certificates work to put you on the path to in-demand jobs.
Learn how you can earn a Google Career Certificate for free by contacting your local Michigan Works! office at MichiganWorks.org.

Designed by Google, this self-paced, online training program can prepare you for careers in the high-growth fields of project management, user experience (UX) design, data analytics, and IT support.

And with less than 10 hours spent studying per week, you can be prepped for a new career in under six months. Once you graduate from the Google Career Certificate program, you can connect directly with over 150 top U.S. employers to jump-start your job search.

There's not much time left to enroll. Contact your local Michigan Works! office today!