Testimonials

"Through the Youth Program of Ottawa County Michigan Works! I was able to complete my education and get my certification as a Nurse Aide. Now I work at Holland Hospital! Thank you for everything!" ~ Sara H.

"This program gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. To try a job in the field I was considering or a career, to see if it's something I would be interested in is amazing! This program not only gave me first hand experience but helped me learn more about myself. These are things I can benefit from for the rest of my life!" ~ Elizabeth M.

"The Work Experience program of Ottawa County Michigan Works! was really helpful. They helped me get my GED and got me started with a temporary employment service. Now I'm working long-term." ~ Alex S.

"I enrolled in this program when I needed help paying for credit recovery for high school graduation. My case manager told me about a job fair and offered employment counseling. I'm working full-time, and love my job and I'm taking classes at GRCC." ~ Dasha J.

Examples of businesses that host a Youth Program work site include but are not limited to:

• City Hall
• Nursing Homes
• Churches
• Retail Outlets
• Daycares
• Hotels
  

Examples of positions that Youth Program participants hold include but are not limited to:

• Organizing sales floor
• Sweeping/vacuuming
• Grounds keeping
• Seasonal landscaping
• Custodial duties
• Reading to children
• Assist Activities Director
• Light housekeeping
• Answer phones
• Data entry/filing
• Organization/special projects

How you benefit from being part of our program:

• Getting paid to work
• Getting experience in the workplace
• Doing jobs you might not have thought of before
• Making connections in the community that could help you in the future
• Getting some technical skills
• Giving you an opportunity to work with people who care about you and your future
• Giving back to the community

OCMW is responsible for:

What the Work Experience Program
hopes to give to its participants:

• Finding/placing youth participants
• Completing background checks
• Paying youth participants' wages
• Work site supervisor support
• Conducting the interview process

• Work related soft skills, such as timeliness, teamwork, following direction, completing tasks
• Technical skills in a relevant area
• Life skills such as attention to detail, keeping a schedule, follow through