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Purpose and Goals
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Strengthens the ability of community colleges to provide access to industry-aligned education and training.
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Expand career pathways for underrepresented or lower-income individuals.
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Foster employer partnerships to create responsive, demand-driven workforce solutions.
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Support participants in gaining college credentials, employment, and upward mobility.
Focus Areas
The project enhances training and career pathways in the following sectors:
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Advanced Manufacturing
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Information Technology
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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Computer Information Systems (CIS)
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Computer Programming
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Computer Science
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Computer Support
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Cybersecurity
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Data Science
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Network Administration
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Web/UX Design, Graphics/Web Development
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Infrastructure
It supports innovation in apprenticeship development and credit/non-credit programs.
Program Priorities
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Access: Expand participation among underrepresented groups in tech.
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Workforce Alignment: Ensure ongoing collaboration with regional employers through employer-led councils and West Michigan Works! as the sector convener.
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Sustainability: Institutionalize systems improvements in career services, instruction, and reducing barriers.
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Data Use: Implement a structured data collection and evaluation system to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
Consortium and Partnerships
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Lead Institution: Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC)
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Consortium Institution: Muskegon Community College (MCC)
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Sector Convener: West Michigan Works! (WMW!)
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Employer Partners: Shape Corp., FlockX, White Knight Labs, NuWave Technology Partners, others TBD
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Community-Based Organizations: Participate in outreach, case management, and service delivery as part of the Project Leadership Team
Career Pathways and Participant Goals
The grant aims to serve 662 participants across both colleges, through college and community partner collaboration.
GRCC Programs
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Communications and Broadband Installation
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Cybersecurity
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Computer Programming
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Computer Support
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Web/UX Design
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Network Administration
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Computer Information Systems
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Computer Science
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Artificial Intelligence
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Automation
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Manufacturing and Applied Technology
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Data Science
MCC Programs
Participants are enrolled upon completing admissions, engaging in intake and coaching, and selecting an approved pathway. Success coaches help develop Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) to support student persistence and completion.
Sustainable Systems Change
The project is designed to achieve long-term, institutionalized improvements in five key areas:
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Employer-informed curriculum development through a closed-loop feedback model.
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Centralized, sector-specific career services with integrated job development staff.
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Expanded access to credit programs for learning opportunities.
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Expanded access to non-credit programs for direct learning opportunities.
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Flexible instruction and optimized course scheduling to meet diverse student needs.
Both GRCC and MCC have committed to sustaining these systems changes beyond the grant period through policy updates and faculty engagement.
Evaluation and Data Management
A dedicated full-time data tracking specialist at GRCC oversees all grant data processes, including intake, tracking, compliance audits, and system documentation. Data is collected via standardized intake forms (via Launchpad provided by WMW!), college enterprise systems (Canvas at GRCC, Blackboard at MSS).
Third-party evaluators (Mathematica and Pacific Research & Evaluation (PRE)) conduct evaluations, surveys, and stakeholder interviews to assess program effectiveness, systems change outcomes, and equity impact. Evaluation results are used to guide program improvements and shared with the Project Leadership Team for decision-making.