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Oakland County Michigan Works! Employer Workshop Series

Join the Oakland County Michigan Works! Business Service Team and featured guest speakers to discuss and explore educational and informative topics geared towards workforce needs of employers.

Upcoming Events

APP DEVELOPER Training Program

Training New Professionals in One of America’s Fastest Growing Fields

October 16, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Responding to the intense demand for app developers and digital marketing specialists across the United States, Oakland County Michigan Works! in partnership with Oakland Community College will be offering a short-term training program to prepare the next generation of professionals in this field.

Please join us for a special virtual focus group of employers from around our region to discuss the skill set and certifications that will be needed by app developers and digital marketing specialists during this period of growing demand.

Your input is very valuable to determining the need and feasibility of offering such training to prepare job seekers for new careers in this field.

The tentative start date for the training is January 27, 2025.

CERTIFICATIONS EARNED UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF TRAINING:

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Microsoft 365 apps)
• CompTIA Tech+
• Swift – Level 1
• PCEP – Entry Level Python

Event Flyer

Register Now

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Past Events

Employer Workshop: Cultural Intelligence

Understanding cultural values and improving your effectiveness

September 17, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

How important are cultural values to the success of an organization? According to national research conducted by BambooHR earlier this year, 94 percent of the employees surveyed said an organization’s culture directly impacts its success.

The first step to understanding an organization’s cultural values is to understand your own behavioral preferences. Simply put, these preferences influence how people navigate life and do things. Behavioral Preferences influence how people want to interact, communicate, plan and complete tasks on the job.

Comparing your preferences with those of your colleagues — and recognizing everyone’s unique perspective — can improve interpersonal effectiveness and team performance.

Join us for our next virtual workshop, focusing on understanding cultural preferences and how they make a difference in whether a person thrives or struggles in today’s dynamic workplace.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Why Cultural Intelligence is important 
• Challenges in working across cultures 
• Proven strategies for creating an inclusive organizational culture 
• Viewing differences in behavioral preferences as an opportunity (not a threat) 

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Bridging the Transportation Gap in Oakland County

Employers and workers benefit from new public transit options

AUGUST 20, 2024 | 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Getting to work is a real challenge for many Americans, according to a 2022 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.

Up to 14 million people annually struggle with reliable transportation, impacting their ability to hold a steady job. This, in turn, hurts employers and their ability to attract and retain quality workers. Southeast Michigan feels the impact daily.

Voters in Oakland County passed a countywide transit millage in November 2022. Significant progress has already been made to expand public transit service throughout the region. Longstanding
gaps in our public transit system are being filled, including those found in employment corridors.

Join us for a free, virtual workshop on the state of public transit in Oakland County. The goal is to help employers better understand the transportation services and tools available to them, their employees and job seekers. Learn how you can play a part in developing a better transit network across Oakland County.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

•  Learn how to use the Oakland County transit system (and how to teach others)
• Review recent transit improvements and planned expansions of the system
• Demo a free tool for finding carpools and other alternative transportation options
• Discover ways to partner with transportation agencies to help employees get to work

Hosts:

Sarah Lagpacan, AICP Principal Transit Planner Oakland County Department of Economic Development

Iris Steinberg Planner II SEMCOG Transportation Modeling and Mobil

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Building Leaders

Organize an effective leadership team and optimize succession planning

JULY 17, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

It’s the age-old question that keeps many business owners up at night: “What’s next”? Saying “I don’t know” is an all-too-common response.

In fact, according to current industry data, 48 percent of business owners expect to exit the business in the next five years, but only 35 percent have a formal succession plan.

Join us for our next virtual workshop, which will focus on the steps business owners can take to build the seamless value that allows their business to evolve and grow beyond the foreseeable future. The business succession advisors at Q5 Experience take a two-pronged approach to achieve this, focusing on both leadership’s vision and purpose, as well as working with them to change their approach to thinking about their business and an effective exit strategy.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• What makes a good leadership team and how do you build it?
• How vital is a “2 Page Vision” to the success of the company?
• What “right people/right seats” means and how critical it is?
• Why the "whole person" matters when it comes to business owners and their leadership teams
• What is "thinking about your thinking" and how does Q5 use it to help owners

Speakers:

Chris Meso, Business Advisor, Q5 Experience and T-Rex Advisory

John Bell, Strategic Advisor, Q5 Experience and Empowering Futures, LLC

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DRIVING INNOVATION EV Jobs Academy Employer Collaborative

Learn how employers are driving education and training solutions

June 11, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Virtual Event

Automakers across the globe are developing electric vehicles for sale in the United States. The demand for talent to design and build these modern cars and trucks, plus mechanics to service them, continues to grow. Now is the time for employers to upskill their workforce to succeed in the EV space.

Join us for our next virtual workshop, which will highlight the work of the Michigan EV Jobs Academy Employer-Led Collaborative. More than 130 partners, including manufacturers, labor, industry stakeholders and educational institutions, are charging forward to develop training programs to meet the automotive mobility and electrification industry’s talent needs.

The EV Jobs Academy is managed by the Workforce Intelligence Network and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and its Office of Employment & Training Sector Strategies Team.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Learn about the EV Jobs Academy Employer-Led Collaborative and how it has proven to be a successful model for the industry.
• Hear directly from an employer actively engaged in building EV workforce through networking, curriculum development and providing technical expertise.
• Hear from Oakland County Michigan Works! about training support to upskill your existing workforce.
• Gain an understanding of how your organization can engage in this field and become a champion of the automotive mobility and electrification industry.

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Employer Workshop - Resolving Conflict at Work and Home

Learn how to address disagreements and find common ground

Wednesday, May 22 | 9am - 12pm
Oakland Community College, Auburn Hills Campus
2900 Featherstone Road Building G, Room 240 2900 Auburn Hills, MI 48326

“The quality of our lives depends not on whether or not we have conflicts, but on how we respond to them.” Tom Crum, Conflict Resolution Expert

Ever feel like disagreements at work or in your personal life resolve nothing, leave everyone frustrated and stall moving forward. You are not alone.

Join us for an engaging in-person workshop to learn how to address conflicts of any nature and size. Participants will be introduced to the six-step process that provides the tools to handle such uncomfortable situations productively. Through interactive exercises and discussion, you will learn to approach conflict with a win-win mentality, fostering stronger relationships and better outcomes for everyone.

Workshop Highlights:

• Understanding conflict styles, including your own
• Communicating effectively by listening and expressing your needs clearly
• Managing one’s emotions to de-escalate situations
• Finding solutions through collaboration
• Building stronger relationships for future success

Your Host:

Bryan Gilreath, Lean Leadership Training and Six Sigma Solutions Corporate Trainer, Workplace Efficiency and Safety

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LEO Panel Discussion – Governor Whitmer’s Budget and Going PRO Talent Fund

Tuesday, April 23 | 1 - 2:30pm
Oakland Community College - Auburn Hills Campus
2900 Featherstone Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326


Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released her sixth executive budget recommendation that will lower costs, grow our economy, and ensure any person or business can ‘make it’ in Michigan.

To facilitate a discussion about her plan to expand access and opportunity for families, communities and businesses, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is hosting a special event for local business leaders like you to share the governor’s vision with key stakeholders and thought leaders, as well as highlight LEO programs that align with her plan, including the Going PRO Talent Fund.

The event detailed below is specifically focused on connecting employers with information and resources to help them develop the right-skilled workforce they need to grow and thrive in today’s rapidly changing economy.

Top officials from LEO, Oakland County, other stakeholders and workforce development leaders will be on-hand to share valuable information about the Going PRO Talent Fund and other resources available to help Michigan businesses build and secure a dedicated, effective workforce. In addition, Oakland Community College will be hosting a tour of its skilled trades, automotive and advanced manufacturing labs, all of which provide training for high-demand career opportunities.

This event will also spotlight support available through Oakland County Michigan Works! and partners, who assist employers with educating and training their workforce teams. OCC will provide information about its programs in robotics, machine tool technology and many others.

 

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Fostering Health & Happiness in the Workplace

Wednesday, April 17 | 9 - 11am

A 2023 “Work in America” survey conducted by the American Psychological Association indicated only 36 percent of respondents were “very satisfied” with the mental health and well-being support they received from their employer. Given today’s challenges with recruiting and retaining quality employees, this figure should act as a wake-up call for human resource managers.

Join us for a special hybrid employer workshop, being held in-person and virtually, on the steps to fostering a more healthy, happier and productive work environment for you and your team. We’ve assembled a panel of experts ready to discuss the best practices for accomplishing this and elevating your workplace culture.

Workshop Highlights:

• Steps an employer takes to establish a wellness program

• The cost of implementing a wellness program

• The value of implementing a wellness program from an employer’s perspective

Speakers:

Moderator: Karmen Wettlin, Business Solutions Professional, Oakland County Michigan Works! Oak Park

Dr. Kamaria Washington, PT, DPT Physical Therapist, Women’s Health Educator & Corporate Wellness Coordinator, Pelvic Noire LLC

Alyssa Williams, Chief Wellness Officer, ASW Wellness

Alandra Chuney Jackson, LMSW Founder, The Sister’s Couch

Dr. Sara Whedon, Clinic Director, Chiropractic Lifestyle Studios

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HIRING TODAY’S JUSTICE-IMPACTED WORKFORCE

BUILD A THRIVING BUSINESS AND PROVIDE SECOND CHANCES TO TALENTED RETURNING CITIZENS

Mar. 12, 2024 | 1:00-2:00 PM

Returning citizens want to work, but data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics confirm that formerly incarcerated people suffer from jobless rates as high as 60 percent. Even those with lesser past criminal offenses who do find employment often have unstable jobs.

More of today’s employers should consider this underutilized segment of the U.S. population to bolster their teams. Join us for a free, virtual workshop that includes a conversation on engaging justice-impacted citizens and integrating them into the workforce. Hear from a panel of subject-matter experts, including those from the Michigan Department of Corrections, Center for Employment Opportunities and Goodwill of Greater Detroit, that work with returning citizens and others with criminal records each day.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Explore best practices for working with citizens with compromised backgrounds
• Debunk myths surrounding the hiring and training of justice impacted job seekers
• Learn about industry recognized skills obtained by graduates of the Michigan Department of Corrections Vocational Village.

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GEN Z IN THE WORKFORCE

ENGAGING THIS GROUP OF WORKERS TO FUEL YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS

Feb. 14, 2024 | 10:00-11:00 AM 

Generation Z, persons born between 1997-2012, now make up a quarter of the population in the United States and are having a profound impact on the nation’s workforce.

Often stereotyped, the fact is they want to work and succeed, but are motivated by different things on the job compared to older generations.

Join us for a free, virtual workshop that explores the workings and resources available to create and maintain a young adult program to grow your future workforce. Hear from young people and local businesses that have participated in the iamPontiac summer work experience program to explore best practices for introducing them to the work world. 

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Learn how to administer a youth work program to grow your future workforce
• Explore best practices to help establish your program
• Discuss what needs to be considered per Child Labor Laws with a career training expert

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UPSKILLING YOUR WORKFORCE

LEVERAGING STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN YOUR TEAM

Jan. 24, 2024 | 1:00-2:00 PM

Over the next five years, according to the Future of Jobs report issued last year by the World Economic Forum, 69 million new jobs will be created, requiring more than 40 percent of all workers to upgrade their skills. The greatest challenge for employers: how to pay for this training.

Join us for a special virtual workshop hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works! and Oakland80, where we will explore the benefits of upskilling and retaining your employees.

Learn how state programs like Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and other funding and resources provided by Oakland80 can help you provide educational support and career growth opportunities for your valued employees.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Explore how Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship and other resources can help cover the cost of upskilling your employees
• Learn how to help your employees access these supports to earn a postsecondary degree or credential
• Leverage these opportunities to engage in career planning conversations and increase employee retention
• Discover wrap around supports to help remove barriers to employment and training for your employees

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Employer Workshop Series - National Apprenticeship Week is Here!

Wednesday, November 15 |10 - 11am

It is no secret U.S. employers continue to face a shortage of skilled workers in critical industries. More are turning to registered apprenticeship programs to build their own workforce for the future.

Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 13-19, 2023, by joining us for a special free, in-person employer workshop on the components of a registered apprenticeship program and the resources available to help expand your team.

Apprenticeship experts from both Oakland County and state of Michigan will provide an overview of resources available to support a registered apprenticeship program, including available grants.

The speakers also will introduce the RAPTOR system, a free, digital platform that allows employers to track the progress of registered apprentices as they learn and earn on the job.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are nearly 600,000 active apprentices in 27,000 registered apprenticeship programs in the United States today. U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship 2022

Your Hosts:

Liz Rivard-Weston, Apprenticeship Success Coordinator, Oakland County Michigan Works!

Callan Eschenburg, State Apprenticeship Expansion, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

Kartav Patel, State Apprenticeship Expansion, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

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Employees with Disabilities
Addressing Misconceptions and Celebrating their Work

Oct. 25, 2023 | 1:00-2:30 PM

Virtual Webinar

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The U.S. Department of Labor and its Office of Disability Employment Policy is recognizing these events by continuing to advance access and equity in job placement success for those with a recognized disability.

Join us for a free, virtual workshop that celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and showcases the supportive, inclusive policies and practices in place that benefit employees and employers alike. The goal is to recognize the importance of ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunity to prepare for and succeed on the job.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Review of the legal definition of disability
• Challenge assumptions and increase one’s knowledge related
  to disabilities
• Increase one’s understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act
  and its impact on your organization

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Six Elements of a Leadership Mindset

September 19, 2023 | 10:00-11:30 AM

Virtual Webinar

Leaders are made, not born. The right behavioral mindset is critical to the success of a leader. There are practical, actionable traits that affect
a leader’s effectiveness.

Oakland County Michigan Works! is hosting a virtual employer workshop, “Six Elements of a Leadership Mindset,” led by an expert committed to helping organizations create thriving workplace cultures. Places where people come first, relationships flourish and success is the norm.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Impact of the right mindset on personal happiness, health and wellbeing, goal achievement and success.
  
  
• Importance of mindset to foster a leadership skill set that influences how one behaves at work, from interacting with colleagues to problem solving and decision making, to viewing the future.
  
  
• Six elements of a leadership mindset: growth orientation, resilience, drive, future focus, accountability and inclusivity.

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Let's Get Down to Business
Learn how to start a successful business and access resources that can help

Friday, September 8, 2023 | 2:00 PM

Oakland County Michigan Works! Oak Park | 22180 Parklawn Street | Oak Park, MI

This September, join Oakland Thrive, Bamboo Royal Oak and Oakland County Michigan Works! Oak Park for an in-person Business: 101 workshop.

Starting your own business requires more than just an inventive idea. Business owners are learning that utilizing additional support plays a major role in helping their business grow.

Interested entrepreneurs can register to attend this free workshop and hear from staff dedicated to helping small and emerging businesses succeed. Learn how to access county resources that can help your business thrive and connect with additional supportive services to help your local business flourish.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Importance of a strategic business plan
• Developing messaging to attract potential customers
• Relevant labor market data
• Flexible thinking to adjust to a changing market
• Impacts of local resources and services
• Breaking down roadblocks to running a successful small business

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Work-Life ALIGNMENT
Management Must-Do's for Employee Well-Being in Today’s Workplace

July 18, 2023 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Our society’s desire for work-life alignment has taken center stage, with people of all ages striving for more balance in the aftermath of the pandemic. The spotlight has produced mixed results. According to Deloitte’s recent global survey of Gen Z and Millennials, while satisfaction with work/life balance has improved, there is plenty of room for improvement and employers need to take notice.

Join us for a free, virtual workshop on July 18, 2023, from 10:00-11:30 a.m., Work-Life Alignment: Management Must-Do's for Employee Well-Being in Today's Workplace. Learn about the essential strategies that help managers increase employee engagement, optimize employee well-being and improve work-life arrangements

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• The devastating impact on both productivity and morale when managers ignore the work-life issues of employees.
• Critical role of people managers who act as lynchpins and can directly interact with employees to reduce the work-life stress they experience
• Essential strategies for managers to promote work-life balance, targeting four key areas: connect, respond, rethink and model.

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YOUR WORKFORCE AND THE LAW
Navigating the Top Challenges Facing Employers and HR Leaders

June 21, 2023 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Today’s business leaders are tasked with managing an evolving workforce, often addressing significant challenges that meld both human resources and legal concerns. From hiring to firing, they must comply with ever-changing and overlapping laws. The key to success is to effectively evaluate organizational practices and recognize their real impact on operations and your people.

Join us for a free, virtual workshop on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, where we will discuss current legal challenges, from both a human resources and legal perspective. Through storytelling and other tools, participants will be introduced to a variety of proactive strategies to help avoid common mistakes. SHRM credits (1.5) are available for attending this live virtual event.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Current employment trends impacting employers in 2023.
• A review of employment case law and applicable lessons learned
• Steps to proactively avoid legal risk

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WORKFORCE MENTAL HEALTH

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Recognizing the Need and Resources to Support A Happy, Healthy Workforce

With their work environment turned upside down over the past three years due to the pandemic and other factors, 39 percent of respondents to the American Psychological Association’s recent Work and Well-Being Survey said their job has had a negative impact on their mental health.

The fallout: unhealthy job stress and burnout for more Americans who work full-time and spend about half of their waking lives on the job. Join us for a free, virtual workshop on Wednesday, May 17, 2023,
where we will be discussing this growing concern and the mental health resources available to help stressed workers.

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EMPLOYING SKILLS-BASED HIRING

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | 1:00 PM 

Expanding Your Pool of Candidates with “Good Fit” Talent

Join us for a free, virtual workshop to learn about the advantages of employing skills-based hiring and keys to deploying it successfully in your organization. A growing number of employers are adopting a new hiring practice that focuses on the skills of a job seeker or employee, rather than simply one’s degree.

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Employer Workshop Series - Employee Retention Strategies

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

According to recent data from the Society of Human Resource Management, the average company experiences nearly 20 percent turnover each year.

Employers are learning it takes more than just a competitive wage and benefits package to attract and retain their best employees in today’s tight labor market. Employees are demanding more.

Join us in March for a free, in-person employer workshop, presented by Oakland County Michigan Works!, that will highlight how to foster a healthy, productive and engaging work environment. Learn how to incentivize your staff members to encourage them to stay on the job.

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Workplace Bullying

Recognizing It and How to Effectively Address the Situations

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 | 1:00 PM

School playgrounds are not the only settings for bullying. Such situations can arise at work, too, resulting in a hostile work environment. Nobody should have to endure it.

Join us in February for a free, virtual workshop on effectively handling such harassment at work. The key for leaders is to launch intentional and crucial conversations about bullying, including the identification of common workplace bullying characteristics, sharing insights into addressing such situations, and imparting change-based knowledge to end bullying on the job.

 

Managing Remote Workers

Providing your team with flexibility while maintaining productivity and effectiveness

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 1:00 PM

One of the biggest long-term impacts of the pandemic has been the boom of people now working remotely, whether on a full-time or hybrid basis. This popular trend has significantly changed how workplaces operate today and possibly well into the future.

Join us this month for a free, virtual workshop on effectively managing this growing population of workers, including the unique skills needed and an understanding of what motivates people to pursue a remote work arrangement.

OCMW!/SHRM Foundation HR Registered Apprenticeship Program Info Session

September 22, 2022 | 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Online Event

Does your organization need talented human resources professionals? Perhaps it is time to consider a new approach to building your team. Mold your own through a registered apprenticeship program.

Oakland County Michigan Works! and the Society of Human Resources Management Foundation are partnering to offer employers the opportunity to develop a registered apprenticeship program for human resources professionals.

The apprenticeship focuses on eight behavioral competencies and 15 knowledge areas. Upon successful completion, apprentices are ready to take the SHRM-CP certification exam.

During the meeting, we’ll share:

• Details on the Foundation’s new competency-based HR registered apprenticeship program and how it develops human resource management skills
• How registered apprenticeships play a key role in meeting DE&I goals
• The process for accessing funding from Oakland County Michigan Works! to offset the cost of apprentice wages and supportive services, as needed

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Funding Sources to Fuel Your Workforce

Increase your talent pool, gain access to tax credits and offset training expenses.

August 10, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Recruiting, hiring and training workers is quite a challenge for many employers. It takes time and funding. There are programs and incentives available, however, to help employers complete these important tasks and build a skilled staff.

This free, virtual workshop highlights how Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) benefit employers and job seekers, as well as funding available to support registered apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

Workshop Highlights

• How the WOTC program provides employers with cost savings
• Applying to the WOTC program and hiring eligible employees
• Building a registered apprenticeship program. Measuring the progress and effectiveness of the newly embraced practices
• Leveraging on-the-job training programs and state funding sources to nurture talent

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Hiring Through an Equity Lens Pivot From Tradition and Change Your Company’s Culture

Wednesday, July 20, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.

More and more business leaders are striving to embrace equity in their organizations. A key to achieving this is to reflect on your traditional hiring practices that may encourage an unhealthy workplace culture and then enacting real change.

Join us in July for a free, virtual workshop to learn how to pivot from this historical approach to hiring staff and greatly impact two key areas: the evaluation of an applicant’s experience and the steps taken to actually hire someone.

Workshop Highlights

• Evaluating examples of how racism and historical hiring systems impact the workforce
• Identifying best practices in the hiring process in order to create more equitable and inclusive hiring practices
• Measuring the progress and effectiveness of the newly embraced practices

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Tapping the Non-Traditional Talent Pool: Tackle Your Staffing Challenges by Building a More Inclusive Workforce

Tuesday, May 17, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.

Hiring, building and retaining a quality team are arguably the greatest obstacles to success for virtually all employers in today’s post-pandemic world. You can address them by building a more inclusive workforce through the recruitment of non-traditional workers.

Join us in May for a free, virtual workshop featuring a panel discussion on the benefits of hiring returning citizens and others with justice-related hurdles, workers with disabilities, and older citizens who want to extend their careers.

Workshop Highlights

• Attracting candidates from targeted populations – tips and techniques
• Making the most of work incentives, including fidelity bonding and WOTC
• Creating a more inclusive workforce within your organization
• Changing lives and making a difference in your community

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Busting Employee Burnout: How to Stop It from Taking Over Your Business

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.

Employees have faced unprecedented challenges over the past couple of years, learning how to survive at work amidst a global pandemic that only now seems to be waning.

We have all seen how today’s “always on” culture can quickly deplete a person’s energy and drive, leading to the burnout, including your team’s best talent. This can increase your costs associated with recruitment and retention and, unfortunately, impact the company’s worth and competitiveness.

Join us in April for a free, virtual workshop on the measurable steps you can take to ensure you are not fostering a culture of burnout in your organization.

Workshop Highlights

• Defining burnout and how it differs from stress
• Recognizing the impact of burnout on your organization
• Understanding common misconceptions and mistakes in identifying and preventing burnout
• Promoting burnout recovery and creating lasting change

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Workforce Retention: Culture, Leadership and Law

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.

With four million Americans quitting their jobs last November alone, perhaps the greatest challenge facing U.S. employers today is the retention of their best employees.

According to business and labor experts, overcoming this obstacle focuses on creating a retention culture for employees that benefits everyone. Join us this month for a free, virtual workshop where hosts and participants will discuss how to accomplish this and position employers for success.

Workshop Structure

• Creating a culture
• Leading to retain and attract
• Understanding of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
• Recognizing what employees want
• Managing virtual and flex work
• Increasing employer protections
• Examining recent employment case laws

This program is approved for 1.0 (General) credit hour. Dinsmore & Shohl LLP is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. This program is valid for PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit shrmcertification.org.

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Business Succession: Do You Have a Plan in Place?

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.

Learn about the succession planning tools that increase the stability of the business you’ve built for those who depend on it.

Business owners invest so much work, sacrifice and stress to make their businesses grow and succeed. The best also focus on making sure their employees develop and grow professionally. The goal is to assure a change in leadership goes smoothly, with minimal if any, business disruption. Succession planning involves a broad array of tools that can be customized for each business to help provide stability, both for those running your business today and those driving decisions tomorrow.

Workshop Structure

• Common Legal Issues and How to Spot Them: Every business is unique, but we will discuss some of the more common legal hurdles to succession planning.
• Common Financial Gaps and Which Tools Can Help: While there are many financial tools available, we will review some prevalent ones and how they can assist with succession planning.

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Veterans + Apprenticeships: The Perfect Equation

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 | 1:00 p.m.

Those who served our country want to build civilian careers and apprenticeship programs provide the ideal setting to showcase their various skills and obtain others.

Employers looking for a competitive edge, an advantage over their competition that will pay dividends today and well into the future, should consider launching a registered apprenticeship program. Veterans who served our country are ideal candidates for apprentice positions, given their work ethic, loyalty and skills sets. What they may not know they are eager to learn.

Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week with Oakland County Michigan Works! and its partners, as they make a case for hiring veterans to complete registered apprenticeships in a variety of industries. Also learn about funding provided by Oakland County Michigan Works! to help offset the costs of launching an apprenticeship program.

Workshop Structure

• Overview of registered apprenticeships – requirements and structure
• How companies can build apprenticeship programs that enable veterans to use their earned benefits
• Hiring veterans – employer and apprentice testimonials, personal experiences
• Summary of apprenticeship-focused grants available to employers
• Other county resources available to employers and veterans

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Recruiting Employees Today and Tomorrow

Using traditional and modern marketing tools to reach the best candidates available

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 | 10:00 a.m.

In today’s tight labor market, undoubtedly impacted by the pandemic and worker shortage, recruiting quality candidates is more challenging than ever. Hiring managers are employing innovative strategies to find the best people available to employ today and the future, including a combination of traditional and modern marketing tools. Learn how these can ignite your organization’s recruiting efforts from an experienced newspaper advertising professional and the “Job Doctor” featured on WXYZ Channel 7.

Workshop Structure

• Using newspapers to recruit – a fresh look at a proven method
• Advertising a job opening most effectively via print media
• Preparing the perfect job and recruitment ad
• Understanding the new mindset of today’s job candidates
• Leveraging “social recruiting” to grab their attention
• Selecting the right social media platforms for your industry
• Executing a social media recruiting strategy with guerilla marketing engagement

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Networking for Talent in a Pandemic World

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 | 10 a.m. - Noon

There is no going back to the pre-pandemic workplace. Organizations and individuals have no choice but to discover new ways of working together. It's critical to learn how to adapt to this new environment and recognize how networking has changed, and what skills are required to truly succeed in engaging with your customers and workforce. Oakland County Michigan Works! is hosting a virtual panel discussion, "Networking for Talent in a Pandemic World," led by experts in workforce recruitment and marketing, business growth, and culture-shifting efforts for business.

• Learn how to effectively brand your company in a pandemic world
• Identify new networking tools available to everyone
• Improve your networking skills, adapting to the new normal as our country moves forward
• Enhance your recruiting efforts, build your workforce and grow your business

The pandemic has uncovered new networking trends and opportunities. We can now network from anywhere and at any time. With networking tools and platforms, we can gain more insight about a person than ever before.

Hosted by:

• Emma Gougeo, Marketing and Community Affairs Coordinator, Entech Staffing Solutions – workforce recruitment / development / marketing
• Marie Hauswirth, Executive Director, Waterford Chamber
• Chad Ever, Founder/COO, Ever Studios – culture-shifting efforts for business professionals

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Opening Your Doors to International Talent

Closing the skills gap and building your future workforce with people from other countries.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. EST

Southeast Michigan faces a critical STEM talent gap that is only expected to widen in the future, as baby boomer retirements accelerate. Unless something changes, experts predict the continuous introduction of advanced technologies will lead to more than 2.4 million unfilled jobs in STEM fields by 2028, due to a lack of skilled candidates.

There is a solution, however, to address this workforce challenge: highly qualified international students can fill the skills gap. They can use OPT to work for American employers for up to three years without visa sponsorship. This interactive workshop, led by the professionals at Global Detroit, will show companies how to take advantage of this international STEM talent pipeline and others. In addition, they will also discuss the topic of hiring skilled immigrants and refugees.

Global Detroit is a regional economic and community development organization, focusing on immigrants and global talent.

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Get an Inside Look at Internship

Engage talented young people and build your future workforce.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Internship programs continue to grow in popularity despite the COVID-19 pandemic, providing employers in a variety of industries with access to young talent, while young people ages 16-24 obtain valuable work experience.

A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers this spring indicated 43 percent of businesses plan to offer hybrid internship programs this summer and beyond, featuring both in-person and remote experiences. The poll also revealed 38 percent plan to exclusively offer virtual internships, with 13 percent plan to offer just in-person experiences.

This free workshop hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works! in partnership with Oakland Community College will provide you with a valuable introduction to internship programs:

Workshop Structure

• Discussion of the frustrations that entrepreneurs face in building a company for long-term success in today’s business environment
• Overview of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® or EOS®, a set a simple, practical concepts and practical tools to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals by attracting great people, customers and investors
• Importance of maintaining discipline and transparency to build a business that thrives on a consistent use of proven processes

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Achieving Business Success through Shared Accountability

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Small and mid-sized grow-oriented businesses led by entrepreneurial leadership teams face a myriad of challenges, including how to build effective teams that share their drive and vision. It is not uncommon for an organization’s leaders to feel the business is stuck in neutral, especially in the midst of a pandemic.

This free, virtual workshop highlights the six key components to turn a business’s frustration to “elation” – led by building a greater sense of accountability throughout your organization.

Workshop Structure

• Discussion of the frustrations that entrepreneurs face in building a company for long-term success in today’s business environment
• Overview of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® or EOS®, a set a simple, practical concepts and practical tools to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals by attracting great people, customers and investors
• Importance of maintaining discipline and transparency to build a business that thrives on a consistent use of proven processes

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Addressing Employee Turnover

Helping Employees Overcome Common Obstacles on the Job to Keep Them Happy and Productive

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Good employees are invaluable and keeping them is a priority. Learn why many employees struggle to hold onto a job and at least one solution to helping them stay employed.

This free, virtual workshop highlights the Oakland County Business Resource Network (BRN), an employer-led program that addresses a variety of concerns causing employee turnover and disengagement. The goal: employee retention.

Assistance from success coaches in existing BRN programs can increase employee retention to 90 percent or higher*, saving companies thousands of dollars in training costs per employee.

*ERN-USA 2019

Workshop Structure

• Review of employee turnover trends, using data from the most recent Oakland County Turnover Study
• Overview of employer and employee concerns addressed by the Business Resource Network, including success stories from current members
• Key role of success coaches from Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA) in helping employees
• Fee structure and contract requirements for joining the Business Resource Network

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Hiring Veterans - How to Turn America’s Heroes into Valued Employees

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 | 10 a.m. - Noon

U.S. veterans of all ages provide unique skill sets which are often transferable to the civilian workforce. Providing them with challenging employment opportunities benefits everyone, helping them transition home and strengthening your team.

Join us remotely for a special, free workshop for employers, designed to increase your general understanding of how to find, hire and retain America’s heroes.

Workshop Structure

• Using Onet to evaluate military skills for civilian positions
• Finding and accessing the veteran workforce
• Making your company veteran friendly and veteran attractive
• Retaining veteran employees