Michigan Business Beat | Jennifer Deamud, Kinexus-Michigan Works!, Record GED Success Builds Talent

Originally uploaded, June 11th, reloaded June 17th. Chris Holman welcomes back Jennifer Deamud, Executive Vice President of Workforce, Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren: This year's GED graduation class was the largest in your program's history. From a workforce development perspective, why is increasing adult education attainment so important to local employers and the regional economy? The new partnership with the Berrien County Jail helped produce a record number of graduates. How does investing in education before individuals reenter the workforce benefit both businesses and the broader community? Many employers continue to struggle with talent shortages. How can programs like Adult Education help expand the available workforce and create new career pathways for job seekers? Michigan Works! offers more than GED preparation. What additional workforce services and supports are available to help graduates transition from education into meaningful employment? With 287 individuals currently enrolled and growing interest in the program, what are your goals for expanding Adult Education opportunities, and how can local employers become part of that success story? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork MICHIGAN WORKS! ADULT EDUCATION TEAM SETS NEW GRADUATION RECORD THROUGH BERRIEN COUNTY JAIL PARTNERSHIP BENTON HARBOR, Mich.- The Michigan Works! Adult Education team celebrated a record-breaking year Tuesday night, recognizing 52 graduates who earned their GEDs- the highest number of graduates in the program’s history. The milestone follows the launch of a new partnership with the Berrien County Jail, created to help adult learners work toward earning their GED before reentering the community. “We hit an all-time high this year, watching 52 graduates earn their GED,” said Mandi Somers, Adult Education Manager at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “These are not just numbers; they are individuals who made the decision to create a better future for themselves. We know education is often the first step toward employment, but we also know getting started can feel intimidating. One of the benefits of having Adult Education as part of Michigan Works! is that learners have access to a wide range of additional services and support. We are incredibly grateful for the many partners who help our students overcome significant barriers and achieve this important milestone. We could not be more proud of our graduates.” A key contributor to this year’s record was the newly established partnership with the Berrien County Jail, which expanded educational opportunities for justice-involved individuals. “What started as an idea became an incredibly impactful reality for adults in the Berrien County Jail,” said Somers. “Of the 52 graduates recognized this year, 9 earned their GED through the partnership with the Berrien County Jail.” In addition to serving students at the Berrien County Jail, Adult Education staff offer services at the Benton Harbor Michigan Works! Service Center, Paw Paw Michigan Works! Service Center, and the Galien Public Library. For more information about locations, hours, and available services, visit miworks.org/find-education. Michigan Works! of Berrien, Cass, Van Buren specializes in educating, training, and employing individuals of all ages. We work with local businesses to find out what keeps them up at night and help them tackle the most pressing challenges they may face, including attracting and retaining talent. For more information, visit www.miworks.org. ###