BERRIEN-CASS-VANBUREN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD INC
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : h*****j@k*****s.o*g
Mission Statement
The Berrien-Cass-Van Buren Workforce Development Board, Inc. (dba: Kinexus Group), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Benton Harbor and serving Southwest Michigan. Kinexus’ mission is to provide sustainable and systemic solutions for the most pressing employer workforce challenges in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. Kinexus is committed to inspiring positive economic change, one person, one business, and one community at a time.
About This Cause
Kinexus operates key programs aligned to our organization’s mission and purpose. Michigan Works! is an organization that operates 16 workforce development boards across the state. Kinexus Group operates the Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Michigan Works! At Michigan Works!, the employer is our customer. That’s why we have dedicated staff that connect with local employers to ask, “What’s keeping you up at night?” We believe work-ready talent is one of the most important tools employers need to be successful. Michigan Works! has a talent pool available through our service centers located in Benton Harbor, Dowagiac, and Paw Paw. Staff at our service centers connect businesses with talent looking for opportunities and growth. It’s also important that companies have resources to train and up-skill their new and existing employees as operations move forward. New equipment or promotion opportunities present employers with unique challenges when it comes to training existing employees. There are not always funds available to do so. We can help provide funding and opportunities to train existing employees in various fields. In addition to recruitment and training opportunities, we provide other solutions to employers, including a member driven collaborative that helps retain existing talent and increases productivity. Our Business Resource Network (BRN), The Link, is a direct service to employees of member companies that aims to take families and individuals to financial stability. Success Coaches confidentially help employees on-site with improving employment skills, overcoming family/personal barriers, and preparing for advancement opportunities. Often, families and individuals are “one flat tire away” from an economic crisis. Through The Link, we meet the needs of employees by helping break down the barriers they face that may hinder their productivity. Common barriers employees face include lack of reliable transportation, food insecurity, housing, and financial and medical issues. We, along with our partners, have been able to provide long term solutions for employees facing these barriers, including: • First Church of God Car Ministry • Ride Share program • On-site food trucks • One-on-one budget counseling • Financial literacy classes • Assistance applying for medical coverage • Referrals to free, low-cost counseling • Eviction prevention support The key to making smart investments in training, education, and business development services is understanding and supporting the industries in our region where job opportunities exist and businesses are expanding. By focusing our efforts on sector strategy, we are developing solutions to meet local employer needs. We work to bring councils together to gather intelligence and create a thriving economy. Industry councils give like-minded businesses the opportunity to come together to solve shared challenges, including meeting local talent needs. We believe we can solve more problems together than alone. Our first council is focused on manufacturing, as that is our region’s highest grossing industry. Together, this council will work to apply for grants, plan manufacturing centered events, lead industry sector research projects, and create partnerships. At the heart of a thriving economy is talent. We are working to make Southwest Michigan one of the most competitive regions in Michigan because of our supply of work-ready talent. Our Talent Development Specialists dedicate their time and efforts to finding education, training, and employment for those in need. Michigan Works! has three service center locations in the Tri-County area. Our service centers give job seekers an opportunity to do online job searches using provided computers, receive resume assistance, and complete mock interviews. Our one-stop is also where our Talent Development Specialists help individuals on cash assistance. During the time the individual is enrolled in the program, we help them obtain basic skills, abilities, and education needed to overcome any barriers they may have to employment. Participants in this program are referred to us by the Department of Health and Human Services. Offender Success is a statewide program operated in partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections that assists recently paroled offenders transitioning back into society. Our Offender Success covers the counties of Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Calhoun, and Branch counties. We focus on four different types of services for individuals that are reintegrating: • Job Placement • Residential Security • Health and Behavioral Health • Social Support In addition to educational services for youth, we also offer adult education for those over the age of 19 looking to earn their GED. Our program offers adults the option of a flexible schedule, with drop in hours between 9 AM - 4 PM, Monday through Thursday. Each student is given individualized learning plans and can achieve their GED through small group lessons, one-on-one instruction, as well as virtual learning. The Bridge Academy is an academic service we offer at our Benton Harbor service center in partnership with Berrien Springs Public Schools. The Bridge Academy serves youth ages 16-19 in a non-traditional academic setting where they can earn their GED or high school diploma and find a career path that interests them. We also provide vocational training during their time at the Bridge Academy. Our end goal is for our participants to be educated and find gainful employment. Our program offers: • A general studies focused curriculum which equips participants with reading, language, and math. • One-on-one and small group tutoring sessions, computer-based learning, and individualized learning. • Subject matter instructors that help participants strengthen their social, academic, and interpersonal skills. We support our Bridge Academy youth in more than just education. We help them overcome challenges they may face including: • Transportation assistance • Counseling services • Employ-ability skills enhancement • Childcare referral • Food assistance YouthBuild is a national program funded in part by the Department of Labor. YouthBuild Benton Harbor is one of 260 individual programs nationwide. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 16-24 and in need of a GED or high school diploma. While earning their GED, they also receive vocational training, specifically in construction and healthcare. They leave with education and a valuable set of skills they can take with them to the workplace. In addition to education and training, we also offer wraparound services similar to the Bridge Academy. In August of 2018, our cohort finished remodeling a house in the city of Benton Harbor. The goal of this program is to teach youth employ-ability skills and give them the opportunity to improve their neighborhoods in the process.