Stronger Together: GRCC and West Michigan Partners Build a Workforce That Works
Sept. 2, 2025 GRCC, West Michigan Works! and local employers are collaborating in a trailblazing way to equip a competent workforce and support economic development. Economic growth has at least three components. Employers need qualified, skilled people in all industries. Their challenge is finding those people. West Michigan Works! is an entry point for people seeking to find a career. They provide career exploration and job search support, and, when appropriate, refer people to GRCC for training across many industries. Students come here to learn the skills they need for the career opportunities that interest them most. Together, these are the three legs of the workforce development stool. “Our close partnership with GRCC is somewhat unheard of,” said Angie Barksdale, Chief Operating Office of West Michigan Works! “We’ve been writing each other into grants and leveraging resources since before the pandemic. Most other workforce development boards across the country don’t do what we’re doing.” Through the partnership with West Michigan Works!, GRCC has access to labor market information and wage analysis, as well as feedback from six industry councils, including the West Michigan Tech Talent council. This sounding board has helped inform the services and structure for FutureTech Careers , GRCC’s co-curricular career readiness program. The long-term goal of FutureTech Careers is to make employer-connected learning a regular part of how students move through their education. “Students don’t always have a clear view of the career pathways available in advanced manufacturing and technology,” said David Pridmore, Program Manager for FutureTech Careers. “Our goal is to reduce barriers by connecting students to employers. We do this through a blend of career readiness and work-based learning experiences. That can include everything from job shadows and micro-internships, to mock interviews, resume building and employer networking events.” FutureTech Careers creates intentional intersections between students and local businesses for work-based learning opportunities. Code on Wheels is a great example. “Our mission is to bring technology and curriculum to underrepresented communities,” said Luis Perez, Executive Director of Code on Wheels. “In 2023–2024, our instructors led dozens of programs, reaching 143 middle and high school students who otherwise would not have had access to STEM opportunities.” Code on Wheels depends on reliable technology and equipment, which they bring with them to each classroom. Keeping all the Chromebooks, laptops and virtual reality headsets up-to-date and secure requires staff that this fledgling organization did not have in place. So they partnered with GRCC and FutureTech Careers to bring on a student studying cybersecurity. Over the course of 12 weeks, Blake will set up security processes, clean up data, and update software. “It’s an incredible benefit to us,” Perez said. “Our instructors need to have working equipment in order to teach a class. Having a student who is enrolled in a program like FutureTech means we are getting someone with initiative. He self-selected into this program. The experience will benefit him, and it’s also helping us. We’re getting cybersecurity support, and learning how to more effectively onboard new people as we grow.” Another local employer, Meta4mat , is also creating a win-win environment for themselves and a student. Lee Hillman has undertaken a 12-week internship with Meta4mat, where welding skills will intersect with learning about project management and customer relationships. “We create experiential spaces that people interact with,” said Joe VanSpronsen, project manager at Meta4mat. “Currently, we are fabricating an ArtPrize entry by artist and GRCC alumni Luis Fernandez.” For Meta4mat, the importance of collaboration and partnership are worth the time they are investing. “Lee learned to weld at GRCC, but you don’t learn to work with customers in welding class,” VanSpronsen said. “You don’t understand the throughput of a manufacturing business, or realize how much project management and communication must take place to get to the end result. Lee is gaining practice welding, but gaining even more valuable business acumen about the process of production.” For both Meta4mat and Code on Wheels, the FutureTech Careers partnership carries intangible benefits. “It’s rewarding to teach someone who is young and has good intentions,” said Josh Busscher, account representative at Meta4mat. “By the end of the internship, Lee will know how a business that makes welded things runs. In our business, 60% or more of the work centers on pre-production and communication processes, which can come as a surprise to people who think the job is all welding, all the time. Knowing the process is an essential and marketable skill for someone in the trades. Our business relies on people who have a complete skill set, and we feel good about building that foundation with Lee.” David says that this exposure is exactly what FutureTech Careers is designed to create. “Both the Meta4mat and Code on Wheels opportunities exemplify the kind of repeatable and scalable partnerships we look forward to forming,” Pridmore said. “And these are just examples. Every student who participates in FutureTech Careers will have access to a tremendous portfolio of unique work-based learning experiences and support that will help them find fulfilling work. We are here to support any student in a variety of certificate, associate degree and job training programs . Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The benefits are huge, and the time commitment is minimal.” Angie points out that collaboration allows more and better work to be accomplished. “Each organization has individual capacity that can be leveraged to support the end goal,” Barksdale said. “Members of our various industry councils provide vital feedback about what they need. GRCC listens and creates effective education that serves students and employers well. For us, having GRCC as an education partner means we don’t have to do that work in-house. I can use my resources to focus on something else. And our cross-promotion of each other means that there is no wrong door for someone seeking a career. Whether they come to us first, or GRCC first, they will receive guidance to help them make the right choices.” Learn more about FutureTech Careers at GRCC.