Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works!

What Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works! does

Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works! (GLBMW) is a publicly funded workforce development agency designated as the sole Michigan Works! service provider for Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties in Michigan. It operates as one of 16 Michigan Works! agencies statewide and as a partner of the American Job Center Network, which comprises approximately 600 workforce development organizations nationally. The organization's mission is two-sided: assisting job seekers with career coaching, job search, resume writing, interview preparation, skills training, and barrier removal; and supporting employers with free recruitment assistance, job posting, resume screening, interview space, apprenticeship development, and access to the Going PRO Talent Fund.

GLBMW delivers services through five physical service centers (Alma, Bay City, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw), online platforms including Pure Michigan Talent Connect, and large-scale events such as MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan, which engages 5,000-7,500 students annually from 11 counties with nearly 100 participating businesses. It also runs the Young Professionals Program for youth ages 16-24, veteran-specific job search benefits, refugee program integration via the Legacy Center, and a dedicated Business Services Team that engages more than 25% of regional employers. Core programs include Job Seeker Services, Employer Services, Apprenticeship Programs, Hot Jobs Board, Workshops and Training, and Job Fairs.

The agency is governed by a Joint Board of Directors and a Workforce Development Board with seats held by senior executives from Dow Chemical, Nexteer Automotive, Corning, Hemlock Semiconductor, MyMichigan Health, and Michigan Sugar, alongside labor unions (IBEW, LiUNA, UA Local 85), educational institutions, tribal government, and economic development organizations. Funding flows from federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants, state of Michigan appropriations, and local government resources; no revenue is generated from customers, and all services are free to job seekers and employers. Technology infrastructure consists of standard office tools and the state-operated Pure Michigan Talent Connect job board — the organization is not a technology company and does not develop proprietary software.

Name

Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works!

Legal name

Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!

Website

https://michiganworks.com

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works! is a publicly funded workforce development agency serving Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties in Michigan through five service centers, providing free job seeker services, employer recruitment assistance, youth programs, and access to the Going PRO Talent Fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Employment Services (5613)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Supported Employment & Job Coaching (EDAKANAE), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Job seeker assistance
• Employer recruitment services
• WIOA programs
• Youth career training

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Workforce Development Funding: As one of 16 Michigan Works! agencies across the state, the organization operates as a publicly-funded workforce development consortium supported by federal WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funds, state of Michigan funding, and local government resources. The organization administers programs including WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs, Wagner-Peyser services, PATH (cash assistance), and Going PRO Talent Fund. No revenue is generated from customers; services are provided at no cost to job seekers and employers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works! is a publicly-funded workforce development agency that provides free career coaching, job search assistance, resume/interview preparation, skills training, and job placement services to individual job seekers across Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties in Michigan. It simultaneously supports local employers with free recruitment, hiring assistance, apprenticeship development, workforce training coordination, and access to the state Going PRO Talent Fund. Services are delivered through five physical service centers, online workshops, single-company job fairs, the MiCareerQuest career exploration event, and integration with the Pure Michigan Talent Connect statewide job board.

Product overview

Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is a workforce development agency providing a coordinated suite of employment and training services across Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties in Michigan. The organization operates as one of 16 Michigan Works! agencies statewide and serves as a proud partner of the American Job Center Network. Its service portfolio centers on three core pillars: (1) Job Seeker Services offering career coaching, resume assistance, job search support, and skills training; (2) Employer Services including recruiting assistance, apprenticeship development, and access to the Going PRO Talent Fund for workforce upskilling; and (3) Youth Programs including the Young Professionals Program for ages 16-24 and MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan career exploration events. Services are delivered through five physical service center locations, online workshops, and single-company job fairs, with job postings integrated through Pure Michigan Talent Connect.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Job Seeker Services

Quantifiable outcome

• $14 million in Going PRO Talent Fund distributed over the past decade to hundreds of employers and thousands of employees
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• American Job Center NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center Network, which comprises approximately 600 workforce development organizations nationally. This partnership enables access to specialized recruitment resources and collaboration across regions.
• State of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe organization is supported by the State of Michigan and is one of 16 Michigan Works! agencies across the state. The State provides WIOA funding and oversight for workforce development programs.
• Veterans AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site partner providing veteran-specific job search benefits including 24-hour lead time on job postings, one-on-one job search assistance, and referrals to veteran support services and training programs.
• Michigan Rehabilitation ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site partner providing services for individuals with disabilities seeking employment assistance and workplace accommodations.
• Small Business Development CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site partner providing business development resources and support for small businesses in the region.
• Legacy Center (for refugee services)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing language skills training and support services for refugee participants in the RCA (refugee cash assistance) program.
• Central Michigan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline course provider for peer support specialist certification, with GLBMW providing scholarship funding for program completion.
• Saginaw Chippewa Indian TribemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents Native American community interests on the Workforce Development Board, with Chairman Erik Rodriguez serving as WDB Chairman.
• IBEW Local 692majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union represented on Workforce Development Board by Brian Klele, Director of Membership Development. Supports apprenticeship and skilled trades workforce development.
• LiUNA (Laborers' International Union of North America)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union represented on Workforce Development Board by Chris Taylor, Marketing Representative. Supports workforce development initiatives in the construction and service sectors.
• UA Local 85minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union (plumbers and pipefitters) represented by Justin Pomerville, Business Manager/Financial Secretary on Workforce Development Board.
• Nexteer AutomotivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor regional employer represented by Cheryl Krieger, Executive Director, Corporation Communications, Global Talent Management and Corporate HR on Workforce Development Board.
• The Dow Chemical CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor regional employer represented by Robert Guerra, Early Career Site Leader on Workforce Development Board.
• Michigan Sugar CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional employer represented by Johnathan Branson, VP of Human Capital on Workforce Development Board.
• MyMichigan HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system represented by Jason Graves, System Manager of Recruitment & Workforce Development on Workforce Development Board.
• Hemlock SemiconductormajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional employer represented by Raquel Perez, Diversity & Community Liaison on Workforce Development Board. Building new facility in region.
• Alma Tire CompanyStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional employer represented by Seth Godley, Marketing Manager on Workforce Development Board. Active in youth hiring and CDL training programs.
• Saginaw Valley State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education institution represented by Dr. Marica Mastracci Ditmyer, Dean, College of Health and Human Services on Workforce Development Board.
• Mid Michigan CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner providing training opportunities and participating in MiCareerQuest career exploration events.
• Kapex ManufacturingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing employer that hired youth program participant Jeremy for their 10-week summer program with 15 hours/week work experience and subsequent part-time employment.
• Axsys CAMCAM SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining provider that delivered Mastercam training to youth program participant Jeremy for CNC machining career development.
• CorningmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer that hired youth program participant Taylor as department trainer earning $33.17/hour. Currently building Hemlock facility with GLBMW helping train workforce.
• Stone TransportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation employer that hired Taylor at $25.96/hour while she completed community health worker training.
• Michigan Department of CorrectionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment employer conducting regular hiring events at GLBMW service centers for corrections officer positions and other roles.
• Youth Protection CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit represented by Jasmine Calhoun, President/CEO on Workforce Development Board.
• Middle Michigan Development CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development organization represented by Kati Mora, President/CEO on Workforce Development Board.
• Bay-Arenac ISDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntermediate school district represented by Brian McBride, Career Center Assistant Principal on Workforce Development Board.
• Blystone & Bailey, CPAsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting firm represented by Jill Bourland, CEO on Workforce Development Board.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Adecco Group: Global staffing and workforce solutions firm with significant Michigan presence; competes for employer recruitment and job seeker placement services, albeit on a for-profit basis rather than public funding.
• Pure Michigan Talent Connect: The state-level online job matching platform that GLBMW integrates with; serves all of Michigan rather than just the five-county region. Functionally similar placement/matchmaking capability at a broader geographic and digital scale.
• American Job Center Network: National network of ~600 workforce development organizations (of which GLBMW is a member) coordinating employment services federally; broadly comparable as a workforce services infrastructure provider at a larger scale.
• Kelly Services: Large private-sector staffing and workforce solutions provider competing for the same employer recruitment and job placement activity that GLBMW delivers for free; a broader incumbent offering similar employer and job seeker services across Michigan.

Direct peers

• EmployIndy: Indianapolis-based workforce development intermediary administering WIOA-funded programs and employer-driven training initiatives; comparable mission of connecting job seekers to employer demand with similar public funding structure.
• Detroit at Work: Detroit's designated workforce development provider, also operating under Michigan's WIOA-funded system with job seeker services, employer recruitment, and training programs. Comparable mission and funding model serving a different Michigan region.
• Michigan Works! Southeast: Another Michigan Works! agency under the same statewide WIOA-funded system with overlapping service offerings (job seeker services, employer services, youth programs) in different Michigan counties — directly comparable in mission, funding model, and operating structure.

Others

• Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority: Regional social services partner organization serving overlapping vulnerable populations in the five-county area, including those GLBMW supports; adjacent rather than directly competing, but shares an overlapping service population and partnerships with employers like Community Mental Health for Central Michigan.

Regional players

• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: Wisconsin's state workforce agency administering Job Centers across the state — comparable public workforce services delivery in a neighboring Midwestern state.
• OhioMeansJobs: Ohio's state-managed workforce development system offering comparable job seeker and employer services via county centers; analogous operating model but serving a different Midwestern state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GLBMiWorks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@greatlakesbaymichiganworks2686
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Great-Lakes-Bay-Michigan-Works/466116203532563
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-lakes-bay-region-michigan-works-
• Instagraminstagram.com/great_lakes_bay_michigan_works

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works!