TECH

The annual career exploration event featured 309 professions showcased through 113 interactive exhibits led by 103 employers and educators. More than 8,100 students from 92 schools and homeschool groups across seven West Michigan counties participated in the event.  

Customers can now customize each room in real time by selecting upgrades such as deep cleaning, inside appliance cleaning, and cabinet detailing as they build their service.

46 jobs on the 2026 list were not included on last year’s list, reflecting evolving employer needs and emerging opportunities.

A first-of-its-kind program in the aviation industry, FLITE is helping shape the future of aviation by providing grant funding and pilot-testing opportunities to companies developing air travel technologies and services.

The council brings together technology employers, educators and workforce and economic development organizations to meet West Michigan's current and future technology talent needs.

The grants will help train, develop and retain more than 2,968 workers, including 880 new hires, 778 apprentices, and 1,310 incumbent workers.

The new networking app designed to help professionals create meaningful, compatible connections without the awkwardness or inefficiency of traditional networking events.

The ETF is expected to begin trading on January 20, 2026.

In addition to keynote presentations and Q&A sessions, the event offers networking opportunities for attendees across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education and software development.

A new app is shaking up the residential cleaning industry.

New for 2025, hospitality has been added to the high-demand industries, which include construction and energy, health sciences, information technology, manufacturing, professional and administration, and agribusiness.

Through interactive exhibits and direct engagement with industry professionals, students experienced careers in six high-demand industries: agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, construction, health care, hospitality, and IT.

The activations are open to up to 50 Grand Rapids Public Schools students ages 13 and older.

This year’s honorees include a cybersecurity professional breaking barriers in tech, an artist using her voice to create belonging, and an entrepreneur redefining community impact.

The Wayfinder Program offers free college credits for adults facing social or economic barriers to higher education who live in the nearby 49507 ZIP code – an area with remarkable resources in the residents, yet significant economic and social challenges.

Nearly 9,000 students from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Montcalm and Ottawa counties will explore high-demand careers through interactive exhibits and real-world interactions with professionals.

The awards will provide critical training resources across various industries, including agribusiness, healthcare, manufacturing and construction, which also includes mobility, energy and infrastructure.

Announced at Optimizely’s Opticon conference in San Antonio, the award was presented from a competitive network of North American partners.

The program introduces third- through fifth-grade students to the basics of coding and inspires them to explore potential careers in computer science. 

Apprenticeships are paid work experiences that combine on-the-job and classroom learning.

According to firm leadership, the brand reinvigoration represents a fresh look and a confident step forward into the future of solutions for businesses and organizations.

The system will be Michigan's first county-wide 800 MHz school safety radio network.

The awards will support the training of 919 new hires, 387 new apprentices and 1,263 incumbent workers, significantly boosting job growth, skill development and workforce capabilities across multiple industries.

This series of free monthly hiking events provide professionals with an opportunity to enjoy an alternative networking experience amidst the natural beauty of West Michigan's parks and trail systems.

Seven distinguished Grand Rapids leaders will offer insights into the transformative advancements that have shaped their industries and companies over the past year.

The six-week summer program runs from June 24 to August 6 and provides enriching career readiness opportunities for youth ages 14 to 24 across Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

The project will construct 250 miles of fiber, improving access for nearly 6,000 residents.

The annual event provides a dynamic platform for students to engage with industry professionals and participate in interactive experiences across a variety of five high-demand sectors.

According to the report, nearly half of the top high-demand jobs are new additions for 2024.

Themed "Casting the Vision," the event was created to champion diversity, foster community spirit, and showcase Asian leadership in various sectors.