JACKSON, MI - Five workers from Jackson and Hillsdale counties will be honored for their innovation, leadership and service at the Michigan Works! Southeast Annual Awards in Ann Arbor this week.
The workers will be joined by 12 others from Lenawee, Livingston and Washtenaw counties.
Award winners will be recognized in four categories: Ace of Innovation, Leadership, Platinum Service and Hall of Fame. The ceremony is set for Friday, Oct. 18 at Weber’s Restaurant & Boutique Hotel, 3050 Jackson Ave. in Ann Arbor.
Michelle Martin of Jackson and Andrae Wasson of Hillsdale will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for their “determination and persistence that is necessary to overcome obstacles to reach their goals,” according to a news release from Michigan Works!, a workforce development agency.
Martin sought training to enter the medical field, but lacked the appropriate work clothing and experience to get hired, the agency says. Michigan Works! Southeast connected her with the Premier Medical Academy for training.
She graduated as salutatorian and is now working as an intern with her instructor.
Wasson persevered through the effects of a serious car accident that “affected him physically and cognitively,” Michigan Works! said in the release. He wanted to become a truck driver, so he rehabilitated his body and studied to pass his Department of Transportation physical exam.
Michigan Works! offered financial assistance to finish his on-the-job training at the Watkins Oil Company. He has doubled his starting wage after working there for over a year, the agency says.
“He is reliable, flexible and a real team player who does what needs to be done to get the job done,” said Greg Eppel, operations manager of Watkins Oil Company.
The Innovation Award will go to the Northwest Alternative High School in Jackson, as well as Judge Sara Lisznyai of Hillsdale. the award goes to “programs and services which have yielded superior results and which significantly improve the workforce development system,” said agency says.
In 2018-19, Northwest Alternative collaborated with Michigan Works! to help students with resume preparation, interviewing and job-hunting skills.
“Principal James Upright and his staff at the Alternative School have been generous, accommodating, and flexible with working with both Michigan Works! and Adult Education staff," Michigan Works! said in the announcement.
Lisznyai worked with the Drug Treatment Court in Hillsdale to issue sentences aimed at addiction rehabilitation, rather than punishment.
Laura Wright-Snyder of Jackson will receive the Platinum Service Award for volunteering her time to help close skills gaps. She is HR manager at Technique, a metal fabricator in Blackman Township.
She has fostered Technique’s partnerships with the Jackson Career Center and Baker College to connect residents with appropriate job training, according to Michigan Works!. She serves 13 apprentices working towards Journeyman credentials and 144 other employees.
Registration information for the awards ceremony is available here.