Workforce Development
Working together to ensure all people in Kent County
are able to achieve their employment and financial goals.
Why It Matters
When the balance between business profits and employee wellbeing breaks down, people struggle to find good jobs, develop their skills, and achieve financial stability. ENTF recognizes Workforce Development as a systems issue, shaped by interconnected factors that require collaborative solutions.
A Better Way Forward
We envision a system where local businesses balance the wellbeing of their company, employees, community, and environment, and all people in Kent County are able to achieve their employment and financial goals.
Get Involved
If you work or serve in the employment sector, we invite you to take part in our Workforce Development Committee. Participation is open and ongoing—simply subscribe to our mailing list for meeting details. Then, attend a committee meeting and add your expertise to the systems-level work advancing workforce development in our Kent County.
- Gain efficiencies in your work by connecting with others in your space
- Better serve and refer clients as part of a trusted, county-wide network
- Access cross-committee education and training
- Identify gaps and reduce redundancies in the effort to effectively support job seekers
- Forge strategic alignment towards sustainable systems change
Our Partners
These organizations are current and past participants in this Committee.
Baxter Community Center
City of Grand Rapids - Our Community's Children
Comprenew
Creston Neighborhood Association
Cultivating Futures
DataWise Consulting
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Express Employment Professionals
First Steps Kent
Flat River Outreach Ministries
Gerald R. Ford Job Corp
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Housing Commission
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Hope Network
Kent County Friend of the Court
Kent District Library
Kent Intermediate School District
LINC UP
Literacy Center of West Michigan
Mel Trotter Ministries
Metrics Reporting
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan League for Public Policy
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Petersen Research Consultants
Puertas Abiertas
RiseKit
Safe Haven Ministries
Sparta Area Schools
Steepletown Neighborhood Services
Strong Towns Grand Rapids
TalentFirst
The SOURCE
Trinity Health
Urban League of West Michigan
Volunteers of America
West Grand Neighborhood Organization
West Michigan Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO
West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology
West Michigan Works!
Workforce Development Resources
Find the meeting documents, reports, and tools that shape our work.
Explore Our Committees
Food & Nutrition
The Food & Nutrition Committee works to ensure everyone in Kent County is food secure and able to meet their nutritional needs.
Learn More
Energy Efficiency
The Energy Efficiency Committee works to ensure all residents in Kent County have consistent, affordable, and efficient energy services.
Learn More
Transportation
The Transportation Committee works to expand transit options so everyone in Kent County can get where they need to go.
Learn More
Workforce Development
The Workforce Development Committee works to support job seekers so all people in Kent County can reach their employment and financial goals.
Learn More
Digital Access
The Digital Access Committee works to close the digital divide—ensuring everyone in Kent County can afford devices and internet, build digital skills, and fully participate in modern life.
Learn MoreSubscribe to our mailing list for meeting details.
Participation is open and ongoing—simply attend a meeting to join this Committee.
