Grand Valley's Traverse City Regional Center has partnered with Michigan Works! on a program that assists job seekers in rural areas who want to transition from education and training programs to better-paying jobs and careers.
The Michigan Learning and Education Advancement Program (MiLEAP) helps fund tuition and other costs for underemployed or dislocated workers who are economically disadvantaged. Navigators like Kailey Rubinas work closely with participants to help overcome barriers.
Rubinas, a Grand Valley graduate, said she is excited to potentially match MiLEAP job seekers with GVSU certificate programs. "My goal is to help people get the credentials they need to upscale their skills to get jobs," she said.
Shannon Owen, director of the Traverse City Regional Center, said the university offers seven industry recognized academic and non-credit certificate programs, which range from 10 weeks to nine months and meet MiLEAP requirements.
"GVSU and Michigan Works have long been connecting to share information and help community members overcome barriers," Owen said. "With MiLEAP, there was really great synergy and efforts made to take our collaboration to another level."
Questions about GVSU certificate programs can be directed to (616) 331-7180, or by email at [email protected].
