Work shapes our days, provides for our families, and fuels a stronger economy and brighter future. But finding work—and locating skilled workers—isn’t always easy. That’s why the Michigan Works! system exists: to connect job seekers and employers, support local workforce needs, and ensure our region is ready for the jobs of tomorrow.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium is Northern Michigan’s workforce partner (and importantly, we are not the Unemployment Insurance Agency). We provide free employment services to job seekers and businesses across the eight counties of Northeast Lower Michigan. Our team includes more than 40 staff, with five full-time employees serving the community from our Gaylord office.

For job seekers—whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time, returning after a break, or exploring a career change—we’re here to help. We offer resume and interview support, online job search guidance, skills assessments, employment workshops, and referrals. Several of our current programs can even help pay for tuition, short-term training, certifications, mileage, books, fees, and other supportive services. Our team has assisted workers impacted by the 2025 ice storm, the 2022 Gaylord tornado, the opioid crisis, returning citizens, and adult learners seeking GED completion. We also invest in the next generation through Talent Tours, Manufacturing Day events, and MiCareerQuest career exploration, helping local students discover in-demand careers close to home.

We also provide a wide range of solutions for employers. Our Business Solutions Professionals work directly with companies to help attract, train, and retain skilled talent. We support recruitment through job postings, outreach events, job fairs, referrals, and the use of interview space. For training needs, we offer employer wage reimbursement for training periods of new hires or current employees taking on a new role, assistance with training costs to help companies avoid layoffs and maintain their competitive advantage, the facilitation and assistance of the Going PRO Talent Fund, as well as other customized training options. Additionally, we serve as an intermediary for USDOL Registered Apprenticeship programs for employers across the region—managing all required paperwork, compliance, and reporting so businesses can focus on developing their workforce. Our goal is to make it easier for local businesses to find the workers they need—and keep our region’s economy strong.