Resources
Our dynamic Resource Hub was created to provide a free, high-quality central location of curated and original content that can be used to help in your Spark Success journey.
Now, more than ever before, West Michigan’s intermediate school districts are ensuring high-quality, effective, efficient, equitable and essential education. Four West Michigan ISDs are leading the Spark Success effort! Learn more about Allegan, Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon ISDs.
There are more than a dozen Colleges & Universities available in West Michigan that include certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and other advanced degree opportunities. Postsecondary opportunities also exist at various Adult Education and Trade Schools.
There are many ways to explore your career interests and to determine your personality traits and how they fit into career pathways. While these assessments should never be taken as scientific facts, they are a great place to assist you on your journey.
Podcasts provide a platform for those who prefer their information in audio form. They are also great to listen to on the go! We’ve created a collection of various podcasts that focus on the topic of career exploration and career pathways for your listening pleasure.
We have curated a collection of career exploration videos for your viewing pleasure. Everything from documentaries, video series, and brief video clips, this collection provides a great resource for exploring and learning more about career training and career pathways.
There are many articles, books, blogs and other items available to read on the topic of careers and career exploration. We have curated a variety of them for your reading pleasure to help grow awareness on the topic.
The goal of TalNet is to empower people in West Michigan to work in jobs where they are highly engaged, high performing, and earning good rewards. TalNet supports this work by aligning the talent needs and hiring decisions of employers with the lifelong career journeys of students and job seekers.
Students and teachers can use BLS to aid in their homework and course planning. Students can use the data in their career exploration and help with their homework. Teachers can use the resources to enhance curriculums.
Part of the statewide Michigan Works! system serving the employers and job seekers and in partnership with employers, educators, economic developers and community organizations, WMW creates a qualified workforce that meets our region’s current and future talent needs and fuels our shared economic future.
Talent 2025 is a catalyst working to ensure an ongoing supply of world-class talent for West Michigan. Composed of over 100 CEOs from the region, Talent 2025 illuminates gaps, evaluates leading practices, and advocates for the implementation of those leading practices to make West Michigan a top 20 employment region by the year 2025.
HireReach supports employers as they develop and implement an evidence-based selection (EBS) process for hiring. Since launching HireReach in 2018 more than 25 West Michigan employers have launched their journey to implement an evidence-based selection model with HireReach.
Roadmap to Opportunity is a project of the Michigan College Access Network. The jobs featured are projected to be high-demand, high-wage careers in Michigan into the future. Data comes from Michigan’s Top 50 jobs for 2026 and O*NET Online.
Apprenticeship.gov is the one-stop source to connect career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship resources. Discover apprenticeships across industries, how programs are started by employers, and how to become an apprentice.
If you’re in the market for a new job, this is the list for you. The Hot Jobs! list can help guide you to new employment in a high-demand career. Online job posting data has been analyzed and employers surveyed to create a list of the 100 highest-growing and most in-demand jobs in West Michigan.
Registered apprenticeships are high-quality work-based learning and post-secondary earn-and-learn models that meet national standards. Apprenticeship combines classroom studies with extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of journey-level craftsperson/trade professional.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Workforce Development created an online career planning tool that provides info to students, parents, and guidance staff to make informed choices about educational/career options.
Our Spark Success YouTube Channel hosts all of our videos including our Real Stories, Real People series featuring West Michigan graduates, employers and others. The channel also includes playlists focused on various career-related topics.
Career and technical education (CTE) is the practice of teaching specific career skills to students in middle school, high school, and postsecondary institutions. We’ve curated a list of career and technical education resources to help your family explore this educational option.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is a state agency of Michigan, in the United States. The MDE oversees public school districts in the state. The department is governed by the State Board of Education. Major departmental responsibilities include school accountability and career and technical education, to name a few.
The number of high school students earning college credits before they step foot on campus has risen dramatically in the past decade. We’ve collected a number of resources for families to explore all of the ways to earn possible college credits while in high school.
An industry-recognized credential or certification is a verification of an individual’s qualification or competence. They are valued in the labor market and are a validation of knowledge and skill. While many are earned following high school, there are also opportunities to earn these while in high school.