Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! (UPward Talent Council) is a public workforce development organization operating 16 American Job Centers across Michigan's 15 UP counties, providing free job seeker services, employer recruitment support, registered apprenticeships, and youth career programs funded by federal WIOA and state grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersEscanaba, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! does
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! (UPMW), operating under the legal entity UPward Talent Council, is a public workforce development organization serving all 15 counties of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The organization is affiliated with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and operates as part of the federal American Job Center Network, providing free workforce services to two primary constituencies: job seekers (including youth, adults, veterans, and individuals with barriers to employment) and employers (spanning SMBs, enterprises, government, and nonprofit sectors). UPMW delivers these services through 16 physical American Job Center locations, virtual service channels, employer on-site business services teams, and a toll-free contact center, with executive leadership from CEO Debb Brunell and CFO Michelle Viau.
The service portfolio is comprehensive and free at point of use, encompassing job search assistance, interview preparation, career coaching, resume workshops, registered apprenticeship sponsorship (in healthcare, manufacturing, trades, and transportation), work-based learning programs, youth career exploration (Building Trades Summer Camp, Construction Connect UP, OneUP Mind Trekkers Tour), and specialized initiatives like the PATH program and Michigan ReConnect partnerships. Core technology is described as standard workforce development case management and job matching systems with no proprietary technology stack, AI capabilities, or patents disclosed. The organization partners extensively with educational institutions (Northern Michigan University, Bay College, Gogebic Community College), apprenticeship sponsors (Operating Engineers Local 324, Plumbers Local 111), and over 500 regional manufacturers.
The revenue model is entirely grant-funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the State of Michigan, and the U.S. Department of Labor, with no fees charged to either job seekers or employers. Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Reported operational scale includes serving 12,832 manufacturing jobs across the Upper Peninsula as of 2025, 2,000+ youth reached in the inaugural Mind Trekkers Tour, and over 14% manufacturing sector growth over the past decade.
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
- Legal name
- UPward Talent Council
- Website
- https://upmichiganworks.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! (UPward Talent Council) is a public workforce development organization operating 16 American Job Centers across Michigan's 15 UP counties, providing free job seeker services, employer recruitment support, registered apprenticeships, and youth career programs funded by federal WIOA and state grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development Services
- NAICS
- Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Employment Services (5613)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL), Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs (EDAAAOAF), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)
Keywords
Where Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Escanaba
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices13 records
Markets served
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Workforce Development Funding: Funded by WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), State of Michigan, and Department of Labor grants to provide free workforce development services to job seekers and employers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is a workforce development organization operating as part of the American Job Center Network. It delivers free job search assistance, career coaching, interview preparation, and skills training to job seekers, while also providing employer recruitment support, apprenticeship development, training fund administration, and layoff support to Upper Peninsula businesses. Services are delivered through 16 American Job Center locations across 15 counties, supplemented by virtual services, and are funded by WIOA, State of Michigan, and Department of Labor grants.
Product overview
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is a workforce development organization operating as part of the American Job Center Network. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of interconnected services designed to connect job seekers with employment opportunities and help employers find and develop talent. Core offerings include job seeker services (job search assistance, interview preparation, career coaching), employer services (recruitment support, apprenticeship development, training funds), and specialized youth programs. The organization facilitates work-based learning experiences, registered apprenticeships, and partnerships with educational institutions like Michigan ReConnect for tuition-free community college education. Additional services include resume workshops, job fair coordination, and virtual service delivery. The organization operates multiple county offices throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula and maintains partnerships with state agencies including the Unemployment Insurance Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, and Michigan Rehabilitation Services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Job Seeker Services Comprehensive workforce assistance for individuals across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, including job search assistance, interview preparation, career coaching, skills development, and access to training programs. Free to job seekers.
- Employer Services Workforce solutions for Upper Peninsula businesses, including employee recruitment, retention support, apprenticeship program development, training fund access, and Rapid Response/layoff support services.
- Youth Services Career exploration and workforce development programs for young people in the Upper Peninsula, including the Building Trades Summer Camp and the Construction Connect UP Program, plus work-based learning opportunities.
- Registered Apprenticeship Programs Registered apprenticeship sponsorship and facilitation combining on-the-job training with related technical instruction across healthcare, manufacturing, skilled trades, and other industries in the Upper Peninsula.
- GoingPRO Talent Fund Administration State-funded program helping Upper Peninsula employers train and upskill their workforce through grants for incumbent worker training and recruitment.
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs Federal WIOA-funded job training, employment services, and support for adults and out-of-school youth seeking workforce development assistance in the Upper Peninsula.
- Educator Externships Program connecting educators with industry professionals to gain real-world workplace experience that can be applied to classroom instruction, supported by Upper Peninsula employers.
- Job Fair and Hiring Event Coordination Organization and hosting of job fairs and hiring events connecting Upper Peninsula employers with potential employees across the region.
- Virtual Workforce Services Remote workforce development services enabling job seekers and employers across the Upper Peninsula to access support, training, and career resources online without visiting a physical office.
Quantifiable outcome
- Youth career exploration reaching 2,000+ middle school students in inaugural One UP Mind Trekkers Tour
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Advanced Blending SolutionscoreUPMW sponsors registered apprenticeships with this manufacturing employer in Wallace, MI, providing blending systems for plastic and other applications.
- Marble ArmscoreUPMW sponsors registered apprenticeships with this precision manufacturing employer in the Upper Peninsula.
- Great Lakes Sound & VibrationcoreUPMW sponsors registered apprenticeships with this Houghton-based acoustic/vibration solutions and defense manufacturing company.
- Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD)coreClose partnership with DSISD for youth workforce development and work-based learning opportunities.
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services PATH ProgramcorePartnership Accountability. Training. Hope. (PATH) program provides cash assistance and workforce support to individuals in need.
- Michigan ReConnectcoreMichigan state program helping adults 25+ return to school tuition-free at community colleges, with UPMW providing additional support services.
- Northern Michigan UniversitycoreUniversity partnership for nursing programs, work-based learning, and student career services.
- Bay CollegecoreCommunity college partnership for dental assistant programs and workforce training.
- One UP CollaborativecoreMulti-community collaborative hosting regional Mind Trekkers career exploration events across the Upper Peninsula.
- Gogebic Community CollegecoreCommunity college partner providing welding, engineering, and mechatronics training programs aligned with manufacturing careers.
- Operating Engineers Local 324coreUnion partnership for heavy equipment operator and technician apprenticeships with applications facilitated through UPMW offices.
- Local Union 111 (Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC/R)coreUnion partnership for plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC/R apprenticeships covering the entire Upper Peninsula and Niagara, WI.
- Mont Ripley (Michigan Tech)minorSki hill employer partner for seasonal employment opportunities in the Upper Peninsula.
- Mount BohemiaminorSki resort employer partner for seasonal employment opportunities in the Upper Peninsula.
- Marquette MountainminorSki resort employer partner for seasonal employment opportunities in the Upper Peninsula.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northeast Michigan Works!: Michigan Works! agency serving northeastern Lower Peninsula counties. Directly comparable as a Michigan WIOA workforce development board with employer services, apprenticeship sponsorship, and American Job Center offices.
- West Michigan Works!: Another Michigan Works! agency covering western Michigan counties with WIOA-funded job seeker, employer, and apprenticeship services. Same funding structure, same state-level mandate, and directly comparable in service mix and program portfolio.
- Capital Area Michigan Works!: Michigan Works! agency covering Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, and Shiawassee counties. Operates under the same WIOA/state funding structure and offers directly comparable job seeker, employer, and apprenticeship programming.
- Northwest Michigan Works!: Michigan Works! agency serving the northwestern Lower Peninsula region through the same American Job Center / WIOA model. Operates job fairs, apprenticeships, employer recruitment, and youth programs in a comparable rural/service-mix setting.
Regional players
- Workforce Solutions of West Virginia: Statewide West Virginia WIOA workforce development network operating multiple American Job Centers across rural and Appalachian counties — a geographic profile structurally similar to UPMW's Upper Peninsula service area.
- EmployIndy: Indianapolis-region WIOA-funded workforce development board serving job seekers and employers. Direct functional peer in service portfolio (job placement, training, apprenticeship development) but operating in a metro rather than rural geographic context.
- Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: WIOA American Job Center operator serving the Chicago/Cook County region. Comparable in mission and service mix (job seeker placement, employer services, sector partnerships) but at urban scale and density.
- Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation: Detroit-based WIOA workforce development board serving city job seekers and employers. Operates the same American Job Center / WIOA service model with comparable employer recruitment and job placement activities.
Broad incumbents
- Michigan Works! Association: Statewide umbrella association representing all 16 Michigan Works! agencies. Provides policy, training, and advocacy across the same WIOA-funded workforce development network in which UPMW operates.
- WorkOne (Indiana): Indiana's statewide American Job Center network providing WIOA-funded employment and training services through regional offices. Direct functional peer at network scale with comparable job placement, employer engagement, and apprenticeship programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! social profiles
Digital presenceUpper Peninsula Michigan Works! financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
What does Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! do?
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is a workforce development organization operating as part of the American Job Center Network. It delivers free job search assistance, career coaching, interview preparation, and skills training to job seekers, while also providing employer recruitment support, apprenticeship development, training fund administration, and layoff support to Upper Peninsula businesses. Services are delivered through 16 American Job Center locations across 15 counties, supplemented by virtual services, and are funded by WIOA, State of Michigan, and Department of Labor grants.
Is Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! a public or private company?
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! founded?
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! based?
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is headquartered in Escanaba, United States, in the North America region.
How does Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Workforce Development Funding.
Who are Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northeast Michigan Works!, West Michigan Works!, Capital Area Michigan Works! and Northwest Michigan Works!. Regional players are Workforce Solutions of West Virginia, EmployIndy, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. Broad incumbents are Michigan Works! Association and WorkOne (Indiana).
Does Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! have an API?
No public API is recorded for Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!.
What industry is Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! in?
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!'s product category is Workforce Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAA, Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers), with a secondary code of EDAAAOAL, Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services. Its NAICS code is 561311 and its SIC code is 7361.