Tribune News Wire

MUSKEGON — Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) and the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) Career and Technical Education (CTE) are partnering to create a shared workforce training hub that brings education, workforce development, and industry together under one roof.

Beginning in fall 2026, CTE students enrolled in HVAC or Advanced Manufacturing will attend classes at Goodwill’s Career Center, 271 E. Apple Avenue in Muskegon. HVAC is a new program offering for MAISD CTE, and both programs will give students hands-on experience in learning environments designed to reflect the skills, equipment, and expectations of today’s workplaces.

But the collaboration is about much more than sharing a building. By bringing CTE programming into Goodwill’s workforce development setting, the partners are creating a stronger bridge between education and industry. Students will have closer connections to employers, training shaped by industry needs, and clearer pathways into high-demand careers.

The shared model will also allow classrooms, equipment, employer relationships, and staff expertise to serve both young people and adults. CTE students will use the space during the school day, while Goodwill can offer career training for adult learners through its THRIVE Academy at other times. The result is greater access to workforce training and better use of community resources.

“This partnership demonstrates what is possible when education and workforce development organizations come together around a shared vision,” said Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer. “The workforce hub will create more opportunities for people of all ages to prepare for meaningful, sustaining careers while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need. It is an investment in students, adult learners, local businesses, and our entire community.”

“This is much more than a facility partnership,” said Goodwill Chief Workforce Officer Kristin Garris. “Students and adult learners will be able to build skills, connect with employers, and see a direct path from training to a career. To meet our region’s workforce needs, employers must become contributors to the talent pipeline – not simply consumers of talent. This partnership creates a way for education, workforce development, and industry to build that pipeline together.”

The partnership has been awarded $750,000 through the State of Michigan appropriations process. The funding will expand the Advanced Manufacturing training component with industry-standard equipment that responds to the changing workforce needs of local manufacturers. That equipment will support hands-on instruction for both high school students and adult learners.

“We are excited about this partnership and the opportunities it will give young people in Muskegon County to discover what they’re good at, find something they’re passionate about, and build a future around it. Creating pathways like this helps every child maximize their potential and discover their purpose.” Randy Lindquist, Superintendent at Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

Advanced Manufacturing programming will prepare learners for opportunities in manufacturing, robotics, automation, and precision machining. The new HVAC program will introduce students to another high-demand skilled-trades pathway while building on Goodwill’s established HVAC training experience and employer connections.

“This partnership allows us to take learning beyond the traditional classroom and give students access to authentic training environments and industry connections,” said Bernard Brown, Director of CTE at Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. “By sharing resources with Goodwill, we can create stronger pathways for students in both HVAC and Advanced Manufacturing while responding to the workforce needs of our region.”

The collaboration also builds on Goodwill’s broader role as a workforce development leader in West Michigan. In addition to providing employment services and career training for adults through THRIVE Academy, Goodwill serves as Lead Convener for the Innovation Academies (I AM) of Muskegon Public Schools. In that role, Goodwill works with education, community, and employer partners to connect learners with meaningful career opportunities and strengthen the region’s talent pipeline.