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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260122T120000
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DTSTAMP:20260405T141537
CREATED:20260108T171935Z
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UID:10000047-1769083200-1769086800@talentfirst.net
SUMMARY:HR Council Lunch & Learn (virtual)
DESCRIPTION:As talent shortages persist and workforce expectations continue to shift\, employers are looking for practical ways to retain institutional knowledge\, strengthen mobility\, and build workforce continuity. \nTalentFirst is convening a virtual Lunch & Learn session with Michelle Burke of the Michigan Center for Adult College Success to extend our Q4 HR Council conversation on upskilling as a business imperative. \nThis session will revisit key tools shared at TalentFirst’s December 3 HR Council meeting and go deeper into skills validation—how organizations can identify competencies\, assess mastery\, and recognize learning that happens on the job. Through guided discussion and peer practice-sharing\, TalentFirst members will explore approaches to strengthen learning and development and accelerate skills validation. \n\n  \nWhat is the HR Council?\nThe TalentFirst HR Council is an exclusive\, peer network for West Michigan’s top human resources and talent strategy executives. Council members serve as the employer’s CHRO or in a comparable senior role overseeing talent strategy. This dynamic community of practice provides an unparalleled platform to: \n\nConnect: Build partnerships with peers\, educators\, workforce organizations\, and community leaders to amplify impact.\nCollaborate: Share research\, leading practices\, and actionable strategies to tackle today’s workforce challenges.\nCreate 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.\n\nTogether\, we leverage our collective expertise to position West Michigan as a national leader in talent. \nMember-Exclusive Invitation\nTalentFirst 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.
URL:https://talentfirst.net/event/hr-council-lunch-learn-01-22-26/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:HR Council Meetings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://talentfirst.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/W4A1564-copy.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Carly Smyly":MAILTO:c.smyly@talentfirst.net
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T113000
DTSTAMP:20260405T141537
CREATED:20260106T192302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T125114Z
UID:10000046-1772616600-1772623800@talentfirst.net
SUMMARY:Second Chance Hiring Network Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The Second Chance Hiring Network Meeting is designed for employers who want to move beyond intention and into practical\, sustainable second chance hiring and retention practices. \nOn Wednesday\, March 4\, 2026\, TalentFirst and Calvin University\, along with host Cascade Engineering\, are convening employers from across West Michigan to focus on what it truly takes to hire and retain formerly incarcerated individuals—honestly\, effectively\, and at scale. \nThis meeting is part of a community of practice where employers learn from one another\, surface real-world challenges\, test ideas\, and hold each other accountable for progress. \nWhy Employers Attend \nEmployers engaged in second chance hiring often face similar questions—regardless of industry or size. This meeting is built to help you: \n\nLearn directly from employers who are doing this work\nHear candid stories about real barriers\nShare your own practices\, wins\, and challenges with peers\nLeave with at least one solution to test and new connections to support your next step\n\nWhat to Expect \n\nSmall-group peer discussions to surface what’s working and where employers are getting stuck\nFacilitated debrief and networking focused on action\, accountability\, and follow-through\nAn employer panel featuring leaders who have implemented second chance hiring in West Michigan—and are willing to talk openly about lessons learned and missteps. Panelists include:\n\n \nThis is not a presentation or a one-way training. It’s a practical convening designed to help employers make real progress—together. \nEvent Details \nSecond Chance Hiring Network Meeting\n📍 Cascade Engineering\n📅 Wednesday\, March 4\, 2026\n⏰ 9:30–11:30 AM\n👥 Audience: Employers across West Michigan exploring\, doing\, or expanding second chance hiring \nWhether you are new to second chance hiring\, actively hiring returning citizens\, or looking to strengthen retention and internal alignment\, this convening is designed to meet you where you are—and help you move forward. \nQuestions?\nContact Carly Smyly at c.smyly@talentfirst.net.
URL:https://talentfirst.net/event/second-chance-hiring-network-meeting/
LOCATION:Cascade Engineering | Ron Jimmerson Plant & Training Center\, 5050 33rd Street\, Grand Rapids\, 49512\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://talentfirst.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Event-Featured-Image-1.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T140000
DTSTAMP:20260405T141537
CREATED:20251105T130526Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T172920Z
UID:10000044-1773129600-1773151200@talentfirst.net
SUMMARY:2026 Career Readiness Conference
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThis 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. \n\nWHEN:       March 10\, 2026 | 8:00 AM–2:00 PM\nWHERE:      GVSU Allendale Campus\nCOST:        FREE\n\nWho should attend \nEducators\, 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. \nWhy this conference matters \nThis 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. \n\nEducators 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\nEmployers 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\n\nWhat you’ll do \n\nWorkforce 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.\nEngaging breakouts: Real playbooks from educators and employers on work-based learning\, apprenticeships\, classroom-to-career alignment\, and scalable partnership models.\nPurposeful networking: Build connections with the people actively shaping our region’s talent.\nEarn Professional Learning Credits: Earn SHRM credits and SCECH hours.\n\nThis 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!. \nCan’t make it? Please share with a colleague who would benefit. \nQuestions? Contact Lisa Hungerford at l.hungerford@talentfirst.net.
URL:https://talentfirst.net/event/2026-career-readiness-conference/
LOCATION:GVSU Allendale Campus\, 1110 Kirkhof Center\, Allendale\, MI\, 49401\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://talentfirst.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-9.39.33-AM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lisa Hungerford":MAILTO:l.hungerford@talentfirst.net
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T140000
DTSTAMP:20260405T141537
CREATED:20260213T163223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260213T163223Z
UID:10000042-1773129600-1773151200@talentfirst.net
SUMMARY:Career Readiness Conference 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the annual Career Readiness Conference—Building Michigan’s Future Workforce\, brought to you by Discover Manufacturing\, Grand Valley State University\, TalentFirst\, and The Right Place | Manufacturers Council. This free\, one-of-a-kind event bringing K–12 and postsecondary educators\, employers\, and workforce leaders together to connect\, collaborate\, and shape the future of West Michigan’s talent pipeline. \n\nWHEN:                March 10\, 2026 | 8:00 AM–2:00 PM\nWHERE:             GVSU Allendale Campus\nCOST:                   FREE\n\nBring K–12/postsecondary educators\, employers\, and workforce leaders together to connect\, collaborate\, and accelerate West Michigan’s talent pipeline. \nWhy this conference matters \nThis 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. \n\nEducators 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\nEmployers 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\n\nWhat you’ll do \n\nIndustry deep dives on workforce supply and demand: Candid briefings on supply/demand in Healthcare\, IT\, Agribusiness\, Manufacturing\, and Construction—plus concrete steps to close education-to-industry gaps.\nEngaging breakouts: Real playbooks from educators and employers on work-based learning\, classroom-to-career alignment\, and scalable partnership models.\nNetwork with purpose: Build connections with the people actively shaping our region’s talent.\nProfessional Learning Credit: Earn SHRM continuing education credits and SCECH hours.\n\nWho should attend \nEducators\, employers\, industry professionals\, and workforce leaders ready to move from talk to action and strengthen West Michigan’s talent pipeline. \n👉 [REGISTER HERE] \nThis 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\, The Right Place | Manufacturers Council\, and West Michigan Works!. \nCan’t make it? Please share with a colleague who would benefit. \nQuestions? Contact Lisa Hungerford at l.hungerford@talentfirst.net.
URL:https://talentfirst.net/event/career-readiness-conference-2026/
LOCATION:GVSU Allendale Campus\, 1110 Kirkhof Center\, Allendale\, MI\, 49401\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://talentfirst.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Career-Readiness-Conference_2023-05-02-160319_rsgc_4e57d52f89dc62001fa3deff5aab68af.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lisa Hungerford":MAILTO:l.hungerford@talentfirst.net
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T163000
DTSTAMP:20260405T141537
CREATED:20260108T173546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T173836Z
UID:10000048-1774274400-1774283400@talentfirst.net
SUMMARY:HR Council Meeting & Reception
DESCRIPTION:Sarah Miklusicak\, Lake Michigan Community Credit Union\, hosts TalentFirst’s Q1 HR Council Meeting. \nWhat is the HR Council?\nThe TalentFirst HR Council is an exclusive\, peer network for West Michigan’s top human resources and talent strategy executives. Council members serve as the employer’s CHRO or in a comparable senior role overseeing talent strategy. This dynamic community of practice provides an unparalleled platform to: \n\nConnect: Build partnerships with peers\, educators\, workforce organizations\, and community leaders to amplify impact.\nCollaborate: Share research\, leading practices\, and actionable strategies to tackle today’s workforce challenges.\nCreate 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.\n\nTogether\, we leverage our collective expertise to position West Michigan as a national leader in talent. \nMeeting Schedule\n1:45-2:00 PM Arrival\n2:00-4:00 PM Interactive Program (more details to come)\n4:00-4:30 PM Networking Reception \nMember-Exclusive Invitation\nTalentFirst 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.
URL:https://talentfirst.net/event/hr-council-meeting-reception-q1-2026/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:HR Council Meetings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://talentfirst.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/W4A1572-copy-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Carly Smyly":MAILTO:c.smyly@talentfirst.net
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