The Chamber Alliance of Mason County plans to pilot an online platform, EmergeSkilled, that will help local employers connect with Career and Technical Education (CTE) students in West Shore Educational Service District’s programs at West Shore Community College. Interested students will be onboarded in October with the assistance of CTE staff. If successful, the program will expand to include potentially hundreds of additional students and graduates in the area. 

EmergeSkilled is a free service that allows employers to create a profile highlighting their company and advertise job postings. Job seekers, in this case CTE students, would also create a profile that would allow them to show their credentials, skills and interests, and the database makes matches between the two.  Employers and jobs seekers can then contact each other to determine if there is an interest in exploring possible employment. 

EmergeSkilled is used to fill entry-level positions that are either full time or part time. It also has options for seasonal work, internships and job shadowing. It is a tool for employers to build their local talent pipeline now and into the future.  If the pilot is successful with CTE students, it may be expanded for use with local high schools and West Shore Community College. Currently, there are approximately 500 students in the 13 CTE programs offered:  agriscience, allied health, automotive technology, construction trades, criminal justice, culinary arts, digital media, educator academy, graphic communications, health occupations, IT:networking, mechatronics and welding. 

“It’s clear to me that we need to create a network that directly links employers with potential, entry-level employees,” said Kristi Lucas-Zimmerman, Economic Development Director at the Chamber Alliance. “EmergeSkilled is a way for employers to heighten their brand awareness in the community, connect with young people who show an interest in the type of work they’re offering, and build their ‘bench’ for future employment needs. It’s free and easy to sign up and will likely lead to decreased employee turnover in the long run because there is a better match-making process up front.” 

Interested employers may register using this link: Onboarding Form (monday.com)  Anyone with questions should contact Lucas-Zimmerman at zimmermank@rightplace.org or 616-970-8978. Technical questions about the platform may be directed toward product creator Joe Bamberger at jbamberger@emergejobs.com