Businesses Can Now Make Moves to Access Career Support

for 3 Levels of Talent- Job Shadowing

Often, people are not in touch with economic opportunities easily within their reach. When talent of any age is interested in the careers that are available with high demand and high pay in a region, job shadows are a good option.

Job shadowing is a type of on-the-job training that allows interested individuals to follow and closely observe employees while performing job tasks.  Shadows can be diverse in length and content.  Many employers have expressed interest in hosting students to observe more than one career during an extended shadow.

A new project spearheaded by the Employer Talent Pipeline, partners with Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works, business representatives from manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality, the GIRESD and BAISD. These entities have collaborated on best practices for job shadowing that are most effective for both businesses and students. This project highlights available positions, most sought after skills, and local opportunities to high school students, college students and their educators.

The process begins when educators identify students based upon soft skills and work habits deemed most highly desired by businesses. Educator materials contain a checklist of these skills, some of which include: openness to new experiences, verbal articulation, effective listening, respectful communication, and punctuality.

Once educators have compiled a list of potential students and a list of available shadows from employers, they use matching techniques to place students into job shadow opportunities.  Educators can effectively make these matches through the use of Xello or other career platforms being used with the majority of high school students in the region.

Documents available to support businesses throughout the job shadow process:

• Background, foundations, and resources – provides overview of suggested process and places/people to provide additional support
• Job Shadow Guide for Businesses- how to prepare your workplace and a mentor for a job shadow, how to choose careers/positions for a shadow, important information to share with students, debriefing with students and educators, evaluating the effectiveness of the shadow
• Two samples from businesses with communication templates for available shadows
• Sample Agenda for a shadow
• Template for evaluation by employee mentor
• Job Shadow Supervisor Feedback Form for students/educators



A comprehensive student packet is included with the materials which can be very helpful for businesses to utilize when preparing for a shadow.  Business mentors can see what kind of information students will be seeking and how they are expected to prepare.

All the materials are editable by users and can be customized with company logos and images along with content adjustments to fit business needs and policies.  Materials are available for use at https://www.stempipeline.com/business-resources/

Employers seeking more information or help connecting to educators and students can contact Carol McCaul, Employer Talent Pipeline Lead, at cmccaulsps@gmail.com

Internships                             

When an individual has made a firm decision of career field with some education and training, spending a few weeks in an internship can showcase local opportunities and introduce companies to new available talent.  

STEAM Ahead is a statewide program supporting internships that has been on a hiatus for reorganization.  The program aims to foster meaningful, hands-on career experiences for students interested in STEM-replated positions and to support companies of all sizes by building a strong talent pipeline for key focus areas through the next decade.

The program provides financial support to Michigan companies who hire interns in STEAM-focused internships by providing a one-to-one match towards intern wages to employers for up to $4,000 for full-time interns and up to $2,000 for part-time interns.  Internships in fields such as EV and Mobility, Semiconductor, Life Science and Medical Devices, Clean Energy, Defense and Aerospace, and Advanced Manufacturing are of highest priority. 

STEAM Ahead was formerly STEM Forward. This rename reflects efforts to expand the program to include more opportunities that are at the intersection of the arts and technology.

After submitting a one-time company application and receiving approval, 

• A company should submit an internship for approval. If the internship is approved, a MEDC staff member will reach out within  five business days to notify the employer and ensure the company is enrolled in the payment portal.
• STEM Forward is now a reimbursement-based program. Businesses will onboard the intern and pay them directly as normal and then request repayment from the MEDC (via the payment vendor) for MEDC’s contribution towards your intern’s wages.

A recording of the most recent informational webinar, with highly detailed information, can be found at:  https://medc.box.com/s/eo72pcm6kyuudpdwd0jpmhx38habr240.

MI Reconnect              

MI Reconnect is not a new program but has expanded its opportunities to individuals ages 21 to 24. Michigan Reconnect (Reconnect) is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for individuals to attend their in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount to attend an out-of-district community college.  The new age drop of eligibility is most encouraging to those young people who, statistics are showing, had career aspirations that were drastically affected by the interruptions of the pandemic which have been producing barriers to their education.  The age drop currently has a deadline for applications by November 15, 2024.

To be eligible, candidates:

• Be at least 21 years old when upon application
• Have lived in Michigan for a year or more
• Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency (GED), or certificate of completion 
• Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor's)

This opportunity can be notably beneficial to businesses looking to up skill employees for their own needs or as a motivator and benefit for current employees. 

There is a number of short-term training programs, many in healthcare, available for Reconnect funding, including several at Central Michigan University.

More information can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect/about

More connections for information on the program:



Mid Michigan College at https://www.midmich.edu/admissions/finaid/types/other/state/reconnect

Delta College at https://www.delta.edu/costs-financial-aid/scholarships/reconnect.html

Carol McCaul, Employer Talent Pipeline Lead, at cmccaulsps@gmail.com

Career Fair Season is on in the Great Lakes Bay Region!

It's always a great time to interact with new and local talent at career fairs! Students make decisions regarding career or CTE programs and many obtain needed information and connections through career fairs.

Here are a few more upcoming events to check out:

Upcoming GLBR Career Fair Calendar

Learn more: STEM PIPELINE

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