Digital Works Brings Online Careers to Cheboygan MI
Digital Works, a program of Connected Nation, Inc., connects people to leading-edge customer support and IT jobs for global corporations. The program provides technology and client-services training, job placement assistance, along with continued mentorship toward opportunities for advanced IT careers.
It was a multi-organization collaborative effort that helped bring Digital Works’ first Michigan training site to Cheboygan, MI. Partners included AirNorth Communications, Cheboygan Communities Foundation, Cheboygan Economic Development Group, City of Cheboygan, Connect Michigan, Connected Nation, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, North Central Michigan College, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG), and Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and start-up funding was provided by MEDC and the Cheboygan Communities Foundation. This unique training and job placement program was just what the area needed, especially considering the lack of year-round employment opportunities.
“This program is a perfect fit for Cheboygan County,” said Linda Neuss, President of the Cheboygan Economic Development Group. “We are excited to be a part of it. Quality employment is very much needed in our community.”
With the new Cheboygan training site, Digital Works needed to hire and train a program Facilitator, but startup funding was minimal. Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium stepped in and was able to help Digital Works by providing on-the-job (OJT) training funding for their Facilitator position. Local job seeker Christi Cross also benefitted from working with Michigan Works!, as she was a displaced worker and was recommended for, and accepted into, the position.
“The result of Michigan Works! assisting me is a great job with a living wage and benefits right here in Northern Michigan!” says Christi. “Digital Works received a dependable employee that they can rely on given that our facility is so far away from the corporate office [Ohio]. And also, area businesses benefit due to me spending my paycheck locally.”
Tammy Spring of Digital Works agrees, “Digital Works received a dependable employee [Christi Cross] that they can rely on given our facility is so far away from the corporate office.”
Digital Works is an exceptional opportunity for communities and companies seeking cost effective information technology and call center training and job placement. As local capacity builds, communities are able to leverage the workforce to recruit tech companies, not just traditional manufacturing facilities. Thousands of jobs are available to the underemployed and displaced rural workers leading to a shift of younger workers having an opportunity to earn a good living as part of a skilled workforce in their hometown. In the Digital Works program, graduates benefit from numerous work-at-home opportunities or can choose to work at the Digital Works training site. And opportunities are plentiful, as Digital Works currently contracts with over 55 employer partners, offering the employer customized training and curriculum, and giving trainees the exact skills and tools needed to succeed in a virtual customer support position. Starting pay for many of the jobs can be $11-$12 an hour, and many companies provide benefits. There are also opportunities for promotion and advancement. Individuals with prior experience or education in related fields can be placed in higher level positions. College experience is not required, and anyone 18 or older is eligible.
The Digital Works Cheboygan facility opened its doors in the Straits Area Education Center in October 2015. To date, two classes have graduated, with a total of 24 graduates completing training. So far, 10 have found steady employment right after graduation. There are currently 12 students in the third class, which started in February 2016.
Graduates are also ecstatic about this new opportunity in Cheboygan, MI.
“This opportunity is a win-win for everyone. People are getting jobs and money is being put back into the community. I started training in October and I’m already working (in December),” says Amy, a graduate of the first Cheboygan Digital Works training class.
Another Cheboygan graduate agrees. Cheryl says, “I’ve been a cashier my whole life, but now I can’t stand for long periods of time and I haven’t found other jobs that will let me sit and stand at work. The jobs I’ve applied for through Digital Works will let me work at a computer. I can start work at 7 a.m. or take the morning off to do errands and work the afternoon or evening. I’m my own boss, I’ll only answer to myself, and I can set my own work hours.”
Anthony was in the second class at Digital Works Cheboygan, which started training the last week of October 2015. He graduated the first week of January 2016 and landed a tech support job with Support.com the same week. “There’re really no other opportunities for me around here, and I’ve been searching,” says 22-yr old Anthony. “I want a career in tech and would eventually like to be in program and software development. I came to Digital Works for tech experience I can put on my resume.”
Thanks to current grant funding, attending the Cheboygan Digital Works program is currently free. Enrollees can get Digital Works certified within a matter of weeks and earn $12-15 starting wages. In addition, Digital Works welcomes those of any skill level, and even offers opportunities for those who may have other barriers to employment (physical barriers, legal barriers, etc), so this is truly a great opportunity for Cheboygan area job seekers. Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium continues to work with Digital Works by helping them advertise the excellent educational opportunity that is available to Cheboygan area job seekers.
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of customer service representatives is projected to grow 10% from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Overall job opportunities should be good, which is excellent news for Region 3, as well as the average median pay of $15/hr. Candidates with good customer-service skills and who have experience using computer software applications are projected to have the best job prospects, which bodes well for Digital Works graduates and Cheboygan region job seekers who are interested in the opportunity.