West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology - WMCAT

Join the AG Collaborative team on September 19th at Creston Brewery for Improv + IPAs: A Benefit for WMCAT! Get ready for an evening filled with laughter, great drinks, and the hilarious performances of improv comedy group, Pop Scholars ??. This event is not only a chance to enjoy a fantastic night out, but also an opportunity to support WMCAT, with 100% of proceeds supporting our programming! ?? Your first drink and appetizers are included and there will be a cash bar serving beer, wine and speciality cocktails for the remainder of the evening. ??? Get your tickets today at https://lnkd.in/gHCj9UJx

Know someone looking for a new career? ?? We are now enrolling for the Pharmacy Technician pathway of our Adult Career Training Program! Kent County adults experiencing under- or unemployment can apply now for a tuition-free opportunity to learn a new career. At WMCAT, students experience: ? Training for an in-demand position as a pharmacy technician that offers growth opportunities ? Externships with local employers ? On-site supports ? Leadership and personal development curriculum ? Stipends that offer financial support The first step of the three-part enrollment process must be completed by July 18, and classes start in September. Apply today at work.wmcat.org/enrollment.

POV: You just finished a semester of fashion design in the Teen Arts + Tech Program and you’re ready to walk the runway ????? We are continually blown away by the art and digital media created in our space by teen artists. Each semester new and returning students make a statement through their projects. ??? Check out our full portfolio of multidisciplinary teen-created artwork + media at wmcat.org/portfolio.

Young adults have found clarity and confidence through Step Year at WMCAT ?? Each young adult explores their unique strengths and interests and connects them with a future pathway. ?? 18–24-year-old Kent County residents ready to find the next steps right for them can learn more + enroll at wmcat.org/stepyear.

At WMCAT, we support adults on their journey to a new career and celebrate their milestones. ?????? We are enrolling NOW for the 2024-25 Pharmacy Technician Adult Career Training cohort! Kent County adults experiencing under- or unemployment can apply now for a tuition-free opportunity to learn a new career. The first step of the three-part enrollment process must be completed by July 18, and classes start in September. Apply today at work.wmcat.org/enrollment.

Thank you to our cybersecurity community partners! ?? Key to WMCAT’s Adult Career Training Program is the pairing of classroom learning with social capital building, personal and professional development, and industry connections. In addition to their technical training, students are regularly interacting with local professionals from companies supporting the 2024 Cybersecurity pathway as community and employer partners: Acrisure, Consumers Energy, Corewell Health, and Meijer. These companies are partnering with WMCAT and our students to bridge the transition from training to thriving-wage careers. Thank you! ?? Read more about how our community comes together to bridge the gap between classroom and career at wmcat.org/partners.

Creating equitable pathways to thriving wages for underrepresented communities is crucial for driving systemic change. West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology - WMCAT's latest initiative focuses on ensuring everyone has access to quality jobs through education, training and support. Discover how they are making a difference and empowering individuals to achieve economic mobility. Read more about our efforts and success stories. https://wkkf.co/heci

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024 ?? Students in our Health Information + Pharmacy Technician pathways took a very important step in their journeys toward economic security, completing the Adult Career Training Program! After completing their coursework, exploring personal and professional leadership, building social capital with each other and local employer partners, and completing their externships, this group is ready for meaningful new careers. We are so proud! Grads, you got this!

When it comes to future plans, “I don’t know” is a good place to start. ?? Young adults can apply now for the spring 2024 cohort of Step Year at WMCAT! The tuition-free program is a unique mix of college and career exploration, self-discovery, and connections to employment pathways in a variety of sectors. Step Year is open to young adults ages 18-24 who have a high school diploma or GED and live in Kent County. Know someone who could use support imagining their next steps? Send them the link to apply today at wmcat.org/stepyear.

When you meet Caleb Robinson, it’s easy to see he has an eye for fashion. ?? ?? He’d even dreamed of pursuing fashion entrepreneurship but didn’t think it was a realistic career path. Through Step Year — WMCAT’s college and career exploration program — he gained clarity for his future. ↗? Meet Caleb + discover the next steps he found through Step Year at https://lnkd.in/e9cZ9Agw.