TalentFirst

[Workshop 4] Setting Goals & Sustaining Change
2025-03-18 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82148867624
The Adult Education Innovation Design Lab concludes with Workshop 4 on March 18, 2025.
The Adult Education Innovation Design Lab will assist eligible adult education providers, community colleges, and organizations with experience serving adult learners with the capacity and technical expertise to develop proposals intended to satisfy the eligibility criteria for Section 107a grants from LEO-WD.

The objectives of Workshop 4 are outlined below:

Review core and secondary performance measures included on the Section 107a RFP
Highlight promising practices to proactively address common challenges to innovation.
Provide resources and strategies for attendees to develop risk mitigation and sustainability plans.

Providers interested in participating in the Design Lab must submit an intake form by 5 PM on January 7, 2025.

Registration for this workshop closes at 8 AM on March 17.

CEO Council Meeting & Reception
2025-04-30 15:00 - 18:00
The CEO Council Meeting offers an exclusive space for executive leaders to tackle West Michigan’s most urgent talent challenges and opportunities. TalentFirst will facilitate collaboration among CEOs to exchange insights, explore innovative workforce solutions, and position the region as a top destination for talent. By participating, you’ll shape impactful strategies that drive your organization’s success while contributing to the economic vitality of West Michigan. This meeting is a unique opportunity to influence regional workforce trends, strengthen your network, and lead initiatives that enhance our business environment.
Meeting: 3–5 PM, followed by a reception from 5–6 PM.
Confirm your attendance by responding to the calendar invitation you received. We look forward to seeing you on April 30th!
Questions: Reach out to Colleen McInerney (c.mcinerney@talentfirst.net) or Kevin Stotts (k.stotts@talentfirst.net).

TPM West Michigan Manufacturing Talent Alliance
2025-05-13 12:30 - 13:30 | https://talentfirst.net/event/tpm-west-mi-may13/
Align Your Talent Strategy to Your Business Needs
Manufacturing employers across West Michigan are facing common challenges—skills gaps, workforce shortages, succession planning, and a need for more collaborative talent solutions. TalentFirst is responding with the launch of TPM West Michigan Manufacturing Talent Alliance, an employer-led initiative designed to help manufacturers collectively tackle these challenges and build a stronger regional talent pipeline.
Create scalable, sustainable talent supply chains with Talent Pipeline Management (TPM), a proven workforce planning method, through which you will:

Drive measurable impact: Leverage data-driven strategies to close skills gaps, improve retention, and reduce onboarding and training costs.
Futureproof your talent pipeline: Be at the forefront of game-changing, employer-led workforce solutions.
Collaborate with peers: Partner with peers to strengthen ties with educators, trainers, and workforce organizations.

Join this virtual info session to learn:

What the Manufacturing Talent Alliance is
How your company can participate in this first manufacturing-only cohort
The benefits of collaborating with regional peers to solve shared talent issues
What to expect from the Alliance experience, including time commitment and outcomes

View our flyer for additional information. This opportunity is exclusive to manufacturing employers. Additional cohorts for other sectors will be offered in the future.

TPM West Michigan Manufacturing Talent Alliance
2025-05-15 09:00 - 10:00 | https://talentfirst.net/event/tpm-west-michigan-may15/

Introducing MiCareerCompass: Aligning Talent with Opportunity
2025-05-22 09:00 - 10:00 | https://talentfirst.net/event/introducing-micareercompass-aligning-talent-opportunity/
Join us for a virtual introduction to MiCareerCompass — a new employer-facing platform designed to help HR leaders more effectively connect with jobseekers and streamline talent acquisition efforts in West Michigan.
During this session, you’ll learn how MiCareerCompass equips employers with real-time labor market data, targeted outreach tools, and strategic insights to better align open roles with qualified candidates. Discover how the platform can support your hiring goals by simplifying access to training providers, community-based organizations, and a broader pool of job-ready talent.
This is an opportunity to see how MiCareerCompass can enhance your recruitment strategy and strengthen your organization’s connection to West Michigan’s evolving workforce ecosystem.
View our flyer for additional information.

HR Council Meeting & Reception
2025-06-03 14:00 - 16:30 | Meijer – Walker Campus, 2929 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544, United States
The TalentFirst HR Council is an exclusive, peer network for West Michigan’s top human resources and talent strategy executives. Council members typically serve as the CHRO or in a comparable senior role overseeing talent strategy. This dynamic community of practice provides an unparalleled platform to:

Connect: Build partnerships with peers, educators, workforce organizations, and community leaders to amplify impact.
Collaborate: Share research, leading practices, and actionable strategies to tackle today’s workforce challenges.
Create Solutions: Evaluate labor market trends, identify gaps, and co-develop innovative approaches to enhance talent attraction, development, and retention of our region’s diverse workforce.

Together, we leverage our collective expertise to position West Michigan as a national leader in talent.
Members have received a calendar invitation with the event details. Reach out to Carly Smyly, c.smyly@talentfirst.net, with any questions.

Tapping into Talent with MiCareerCompass
2025-07-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, 1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States
You’re invited to Tapping into Talent with MiCareerCompass — a summer cocktail hour designed to spark conversation, share employer perspectives, and explore how MiCareerCompass is helping connect West Michigan talent to opportunity.
Why Attend?
West Michigan employers, educators, and community leaders are invited to join a dynamic evening exploring how MiCareerCompass is transforming the way we connect jobseekers to opportunity.
Whether you’re navigating talent shortages, launching innovative workforce strategies, or simply curious about how this platform works—this event is for you.
What to Expect

Meaningful NetworkingMeet peers and leaders from across sectors who share your commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive workforce.

Real Partner VoicesHear directly from a panel of regional employers, educators, and workforce leaders about how MiCareerCompass is helping them connect people to opportunity.

Inspiration + InsightDiscover new ideas, learn what’s working, and explore opportunities to collaborate.

Complimentary Cocktails + ConversationEnjoy drinks and light snacks in a relaxed setting designed to foster authentic connections and energizing dialogue.

HR Council Meeting & Reception
2025-09-08 14:00 - 16:30 | Haworth, One Haworth Place, Holland, MI, 49423, United States
The TalentFirst HR Council is an exclusive, peer network for West Michigan’s top human resources and talent strategy executives. Council members serve as the CHRO or in a comparable senior role overseeing talent strategy. This dynamic community of practice provides an unparalleled platform to:

Connect: Build partnerships with peers, educators, workforce organizations, and community leaders to amplify impact.
Collaborate: Share research, leading practices, and actionable strategies to tackle today’s workforce challenges.
Create Solutions: Evaluate labor market trends, identify gaps, and co-develop innovative approaches to enhance talent attraction, development, and retention of our region’s diverse workforce.

Together, we leverage our collective expertise to position West Michigan as a national leader in talent.
Members have received a calendar invitation with the event details. Reach out to Carly Smyly, c.smyly@talentfirst.net, with any questions.

From Disruption to Opportunity: AI and the Future of Work
2025-09-16 12:00 - 14:00 | Warner Norcross + Judd, 150 Ottawa Ave NW Suite 1500, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
AI is transforming the nature of work — not just on a global scale, but right here in West Michigan. From advanced manufacturing to healthcare, financial services to logistics, artificial intelligence is simultaneously disrupting traditional roles and unlocking new potential across the region.
This lunch session explores AI as both a challenge and a catalyst for workforce transformation. Drawing on national research and local labor market insights, we’ll examine how AI is:

Creating new job categories, especially in AI-adjacent fields like automation maintenance, logistics tech, and digital customer service.
Accelerating demand for human-centered skills such as adaptability, empathy, and critical thinking — now increasingly prioritized in regional job postings.
Reshaping access to jobs and career mobility, with West Michigan seeing rising demand for “skills-first” hiring over traditional degree requirements.

You’ll learn how AI is reshaping West Michigan’s workforce, the need to redesign job descriptions around skills, the impact of AI-powered tools for career navigation, and inclusive, future-ready talent strategies that balance innovation with equity.
Grounded in real-time data and built for action, this session offers clear strategies that employers, educators, and community leaders can implement now to prepare for — and shape — the future of work.
AI won’t replace people — but people who use AI will replace those who don’t. Learn how to be on the right side of that shift.
Who’s It For?
This session is designed for anyone shaping the future of work in West Michigan. Whether you’re an employer navigating rapid talent shifts, an educator preparing learners for AI-driven careers, a workforce leader focused on upskilling and equity, or a tech innovator building tools that connect people to opportunity — this session is for you. Ideal for:

Employers & HR professionals
Workforce development & education providers
Tech and innovation leaders
Career navigators & community-based organizations
Policymakers & economic mobility advocates

What to Expect
A data-rich, forward-looking session exploring how AI is transforming jobs, skills, and career pathways in West Michigan — and what we can do about it. Featuring real labor market trends and a panel of local leaders in tech and workforce innovation who are building or deploying AI solutions in the workplace. The agenda includes:

The Case for AI as a Double-Edged Sword: a data-driven exploration of AI’s dual impacts on the workforce
Panel Discussion: Building the Future of Work with AI
Strategic Solutions: practical guidance on aligning workforce strategies with the demands of the AI era

Plus — enjoy a complimentary networking lunch to connect with peers, share insights, and explore collaboration opportunities before the panel discussion begins.

CEO Council Meeting & Reception
2025-10-02 15:00 - 18:00 | Haworth, One Haworth Place, Holland, MI, 49423, United States
The CEO Council Meeting offers an exclusive space for executive leaders to tackle West Michigan’s most urgent talent challenges and opportunities. TalentFirst will facilitate collaboration among CEOs to exchange insights, explore innovative workforce solutions, and position the region as a top destination for talent. By participating, you’ll shape impactful strategies that drive your organization’s success while contributing to the economic vitality of West Michigan. This meeting is a unique opportunity to influence regional workforce trends, strengthen your network, and lead initiatives that enhance our business environment.
Meeting: 3:00–5:00 PM, followed by a reception from 5:00–6:00 PM.
Members will receive an invitation.
Questions: Reach out to Alicia Kreps (a.krepsalentfirst.net) or Kevin Stotts (k.stotts@talentfirst.net).

Succession By Design: Turning Transitions into Strategy
2025-11-18 07:30 - 09:00
As West Michigan CEOs face an accelerating wave of retirements, the question isn’t just who’s next—but how to identify and develop leaders with the talent to sustain performance and purpose.
Prepare your next generation of leaders.
This event is the next step in the CEO Council’s discussion on the retirement cliff, upskilling talent, and transferring critical knowledge.
In this exclusive session, Barry Conchie – leadership psychologist, former head of Gallup’s global leadership research, and co-author of Strengths-Based Leadership and The Five Talents That Really Matter – will share how to apply the science of talent to identify and develop successors who can sustain performance and accelerate success.
With data-driven insights proven to predict leadership success with 80% accuracy, Barry will show how evidence-based succession planning can turn today’s transitions into tomorrow’s growth.
Key discussion points:

Why succession planning isn’t “next person up” but a long-term strategy that starts on day one.
What data reveals about who succeeds in leadership—and why.
How to move from filling roles to building lasting leadership pipelines.
Why talent, not product, is your ultimate differentiator.

Member-Exclusive Invitation
Members have received a calendar invitation with the event details through which they can RSVP. Reach out to Alicia Dorr, a.dorr@talentfirst.net, with any questions.
Find out how to join for this and other events like it that explore how intentional, data-driven succession planning can turn today’s retirements into tomorrow’s opportunities. Email info@talentfirst.net or visit talentfirst.net to learn more.

HR Council Meeting & Reception
2025-12-03 14:00 - 16:30
Upskilling has moved from a learning initiative to a business imperative—but many organizations still treat it as a side project rather than a strategic advantage. In this exclusive HR Council session, hosted by Stephanie Schoenherr of Cascade Engineering and led by Michelle Burke of The Michigan Center for Adult College Success (MCACS), participants will move from recognition to action—learning how to frame, measure, and activate upskilling as a key driver of workforce continuity and organizational resilience.
Through data, real-world examples, and facilitated activities, participants will:

Examine the ROI of upskilling vs. external hiring
Explore practical ways to link learning investments to workforce forecasting and succession planning
Understand the motivations and barriers of your workforce when it comes to education and training
Participate in interactive exercises to build employee personas and identify effective development pathways

This working session will leave HR leaders with the insight and tools to make a stronger case for upskilling backed by data, storytelling, and talent ecosystem partners.

What is the HR Council?
The TalentFirst HR Council is an exclusive, peer network for West Michigan’s top human resources and talent strategy executives. Council members serve as the CHRO or in a comparable senior role overseeing talent strategy. This dynamic community of practice provides an unparalleled platform to:

Connect: Build partnerships with peers, educators, workforce organizations, and community leaders to amplify impact.
Collaborate: Share research, leading practices, and actionable strategies to tackle today’s workforce challenges.
Create Solutions: Evaluate labor market trends, identify gaps, and co-develop innovative approaches to enhance talent attraction, development, and retention of our region’s diverse workforce.

Together, we leverage our collective expertise to position West Michigan as a national leader in talent.
Member-Exclusive Invitation
Members have received a calendar invitation with the event details through which they can RSVP. Reach out to Carly Smyly, c.smyly@talentfirst.net, with any questions.

2026 Career Readiness Conference
2026-03-10 08:00 - 14:00 | GVSU Allendale Campus, 1110 Kirkhof Center, Allendale, MI, 49401, United States
Join us for the eighth annual Career Readiness Conference—Building Michigan’s Future Workforce, brought to you by TalentFirst, The Right Place | Manufacturers Council and Discover Manufacturing.
This free, one-of-a-kind event brings K–12 and postsecondary educators, employers, and workforce leaders together to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of West Michigan’s talent pipeline.

WHEN:       March 10, 2026 | 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
WHERE:      GVSU Allendale Campus
COST:        FREE

Who should attend
Educators, employers, industry professionals, and workforce leaders ready to move from talk to action and strengthen West Michigan’s talent pipeline. – Bring your team to maximize collaboration and impact-sharing opportunities.
Why this conference matters
This is where education and industry convene to collaborate—to swap insights, share what works, and build real pathways so students are ready for what’s next.

Educators will: Get a clear view of the skills employers value most and take home practical strategies to help students explore careers, apply learning, and build confidence
Employers will: See how to shape your future workforce through school partnerships and design experiences that spark interest, develop job-ready skills, and strengthen the next generation of talent

What you’ll do

Workforce data deep dives: Candid briefings on talent supply/demand in Healthcare, IT, Agribusiness, Manufacturing, and Construction—plus concrete steps to close education-to-industry gaps.
Engaging breakouts: Real playbooks from educators and employers on work-based learning, apprenticeships, classroom-to-career alignment, and scalable partnership models.
Purposeful networking: Build connections with the people actively shaping our region’s talent.
Earn Professional Learning Credits: Earn SHRM credits and SCECH hours.

This year’s conference is made possible with support from: Allegan Area ISD, Kent ISD, MiSTEM Network Greater West Michigan, Michigan Works! West Central, Muskegon Area ISD, Ottawa Area ISD, Grand Valley State University, and West Michigan Works!.
Can’t make it? Please share with a colleague who would benefit.
Questions? Contact Lisa Hungerford at l.hungerford@talentfirst.net.
