Mason County piloting talent pipeline tool 

Mason County piloting talent pipeline tool 

LUDINGTON — The Chamber Alliance of Mason County plans to pilot an online platform, EmergeSkilled, that will help local employers connect with students from the West Shore Educational Service District’s Career and Technical Education programs. The Chamber is offering a lunch-and-learn event to help employers learn more and provide assistance in signing up for the service. 

  EmergeSkilled is a free service that allows employers to create a profile highlighting their company and advertise job postings. Job seekers, in this case CTE students, would also create a profile that would allow them to show their credentials, skills and interests, and the database makes matches between the two.  Employers and job seekers can then contact each other to determine if there is an interest in exploring possible employment. 

EmergeSkilled is used to fill entry-level positions that are either full time or part time. It also has options for seasonal work, internships and job shadowing. It is a tool for employers to build their local talent pipeline now and into the future.  If the pilot is successful with CTE students, it may be expanded for use with local high schools and West Shore Community College. 

Currently, there are approximately 500 students in the 13 CTE programs offered: agriscience, allied health, automotive technology, construction trades, criminal justice, culinary arts, digital media, educator academy, graphic communications, health occupations, IT: networking, mechatronics and welding. 

The Chamber is offering a lunch-and-learn session on Monday, April 24 at Lakeshore Resource Network, 920 E. Tinkham Avenue, to help employers learn more and sign up if interested. The two-hour event starts at 11:30 a.m., with Emerge Consultants’ Joe Bamberger explaining the program and taking questions. At 12:30 p.m., Bamberger will provide sign-up assistance.  

If interested in attending to see how EmergeSkilled can help employers source local talent, register for the event here: https://tinyurl.com/yvjz9yk8

Employers may also contact Kristi Lucas-Zimmerman, Mason County Economic Development Director, at zimmermank@rightplace.org or 616-970-8978, and she can reserve spots at the event, and answer any questions about the pilot program.