New program at Grand Valley offers students two years of employment, certificate
ALLENDALE TWP. — Grand Valley State University is launching a new program to connect students with employers in West Michigan.
The new Laker Accelerated Talent Link Initiative will pair GVSU students with partner companies for “an enhanced co-op experience.”
An initial cohort of 25 students will begin the program in August. They'll work with business partners for one year while in college and commit to an additional year of employment after graduating.
Students in the program will earn a certificate in the area related to business or technology that best matches the employers’ needs, such as project management, applied data analytics, business fundamentals and technical sales.
So far, five businesses in West Michigan have joined the partnership — Acrisure, Amway, Cascade Engineering, Corewell Health and Michigan Software Labs.
“We are grateful to these leading employers in the region for taking this initial step with us to equip dynamic and diverse professionals for the workforce,” said GVSU President Philomena Mantella.
“We are addressing labor-shortage concerns and creating a positive impact on the business community. This program will highlight Grand Valley students’ human-centered skills and deep knowledge of their disciplines, and the companies will benefit from well-prepared employees.”
Employers say the LATL program will help West Michigan attract and retain talent while producing a more prepared workforce.
“It’s a win for the employers. It’s a win for the students,” Mantella told WOOD TV-8.
Subscribe:Receive unlimited access to your local news coverage
Mantella said Grand Valley intends to scale the program beyond the initial pilot this fall. The university is actively seeking additional corporate partners.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: New GVSU program to offer two years of employment, certificate
