GRAND RAPIDS – MiCareerCompass, helps students and jobseekers explore career paths, find training and education, access support services, and land interviews for good-paying, in-demand jobs in West Michigan.
Developed by TalentFirst with grant funding from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), MiCareerCompass is a first-of-its-kind AI-powered marketplace created in partnership with West Michigan Works!, FutureFit AI, and a broad coalition of West Michigan employers, community partners and educational institutions, said Alex Andrews of Talent First in this video interview.
Users start by creating a profile, either by uploading their resume or manually entering their experience. The platform’s AI-driven technology then analyzes their skills, recommends local career paths that match their strengths, and highlights any skills they may need to develop. It also connects them to local education and training programs, including financial assistance, that can help them gain the necessary qualifications.
Many of the jobs require credentials or certificates that can be completed in as little as eight weeks. Currently, MiCareerCompass features 28 roles in three primary career pathways: • Clinical (e.g., healthcare and patient care roles) • Administrative (e.g., office and support occupations) • Operations (e.g., logistics, manufacturing, and skilled trades) These pathways will continue to expand as new employer partners and industries join the initiative.
As an added benefit, participants who complete training will earn priority interview status with employer partners, including Amway, Corewell Health, Herbruck’s, Meijer, and Trinity Health. Because the platform draws on real-time data, users can see which jobs in the region are in high demand, how much they pay, and what it takes to get hired.
More information at www.talentfirst.net/MIcareercompass Once users create their profile, they can use the platform to request one-on-one career coaching, apply for assistance like housing or transportation, or learn how to sign up for tuition or training reimbursement. That transparency is important as people consider different career paths.
Because the platform draws on real-time data, users can see which jobs in the region are in high demand, how much they pay, and what it takes to get hired. Once users create their profile, they can use the platform to request one-on-one career coaching, apply for assistance like housing or transportation, or learn how to sign up for tuition or training reimbursement. That transparency is important as people consider different career paths.
Current partners include: Amway, Corewell Health, Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, the Literacy Center of West Michigan, Meijer, Muskegon Community College, Paramelt, Trinity Health, the Urban League of West Michigan, West Michigan Works!, the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, and the Women’s Resource Center.
Additional partners and pathways will be added in subsequent phases of the initiative. MiCareerCompass is free to use for any resident of Kent, Ottawa or Muskegon counties who is 18 or older and legally authorized to work in the United States.
