According to the West Michigan Works! 2024 Hot Jobs List, agribusiness and advanced
manufacturing make up more than half of the top 100 high-demand careers
in the region.
These jobs show a growth rate of at least 10 percent, a minimum of 50 annual openings, and wages at or above $14.30 an hour in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties.
Those fields are the focus at four career carnivals hosted by West Michigan Works! this month.
“These are the employers who understand how important high-level skill is going to be for the future of their workforce so they’re coming to find individuals who want to grow with them.”
Steve Heethuis is the Director of Talent Development at Praecoskills. He says the events in Grand Rapids, Greenville, Muskegon and Holland are different from other job fairs.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their families for free food and carnival-style activities, while jobseekers talk with potential employers in a relaxed environment.
“These are employers that are trying to be creative. They’re trying to meet candidates where they’re at, and so that translates to these are the type of employers that care about your family. They’re not going to want you to work with your hands and not your mind.”
The first event is Wednesday, June 5th at Grand Rapids Community College with one-per-week at other locations through June. There is a link to details in this story at wgvu news dot org.
For additional details about the Manufacturing and Food Processing Career Fair Carnivals, and to register, visit https://www.discover-manufacturing.com/careerfair.
