Talent Development Partners
Developing and educating a skilled and dependable workforce is the key to success in today’s business environment. That’s why the AEDC is always working to find creative solutions to workforce development issues.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The MEDC collaborates with local economic development partners, like the AEDC, to foster business and economic growth in Michigan. The MEDC provides resources and incentives for business wanting to relocate, start, or grow in Michigan. Through Pure Michigan Talent Connect, employers and job seekers alike can search an extensive database of job openings, post and view resumes and jobs, view upcoming job fairs and tap into a variety of specialty career services at mitalent.org.
Michigan Works!
This statewide network of more than 100 service centers connects employers with job seekers, training partners, educators, and other resources to help their businesses train and educate new or current employees. Michigan WORKS! Southwest provides these services for the Albion area and also houses the Southwest Michigan Procurement Assistance Center (PTAC) which provides no-cost services to assist businesses in successfully identifying, obtaining and performing on contracts with federal, state and local government agencies.
Albion College
With Albion College in the heart of our community, businesses have instant access to 1,300 bright, creative, and motivated young men and women. The College’s liberal arts program not only exposes students to new ideas and ways of thinking, it also prepares them to be effective communicators and leaders in their chosen professions. Albion’s strength lies in its ability to provide a humanistic, liberal-arts education while giving its students valuable experience and pre-professional instruction. The College heavily promotes internships, especially through the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service and the Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Professional Management.
Kellogg Community College (KCC)
KCC operates the Regional Manufacturing Technology Center (RMTC) in the Fort Custer Industrial Park in Battle Creek, MI. An innovative training facility, it also houses KCC’s Industrial Trades and Workforce Solutions programs. Combined, these programs can provide employers in various industries customized training to meet their businesses’ specific needs, quickly and efficiently.
KCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Assembly Training (KAMA) prepares the workforce of today and tomorrow for in-demand careers in production assembly and technology using certification-based training focused on industry-recognized credentials. The KAMA program involves a hands-on lab that applies personal and team based skill-sets and production concepts in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, process compliance, and quality.
KCC also works directly with employers and economic developers to support job creation through the Michigan New Jobs Training Program (MNJTP) which allows community colleges to provide free training for employers who create new jobs or expand operations in Michigan. Training costs are paid by capturing the state income tax associated with the new employees’ wages.
The Center (Michigan Manufacturing & Technology Center)
The Center provides personalized consulting and training services to Michigan manufacturers to increase their profitability and accelerate business growth. Leadership development, process innovation, operational excellence, and managing your digital presence, are just a few of the services they offer. The Center also offers many no and low cost informational webinars about trending topics in business and workforce development.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Western Michigan University
The Small Business Development Center provides no-cost counseling, low or no-cost training and market research assistance for entrepreneurial startups, existing or expanding businesses, and innovative technology ventures in the Greater Albion Area. The SBDC also offers online webinars – mostly FREE! – for experienced, new, or budding entrepreneurs.
Greater Albion Area Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Albion Area Chamber of Commerce is the local voice of and for business. It exists to develop and express business opinion and to promote the best interests of the community along civic, commercial, industrial and professional lines. It facilitates the growth of existing business and fosters new ones.