TalentFirst

TalentFirst is a coalition of over 100 CEOs across West Michigan, and is a catalyst working to ensure an ongoing supply of world-class talent for West Michigan.

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

A strong talent pipeline doesn’t happen by chance—it’s intentionally built. At TalentFirst, our strategy centers on helping students leave high school with connected pathways into careers. We all have a role in this work. Read our latest blog:

https://t.co/6NhlQZTvIH

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

This week, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week—and the educators who make everything else possible.
At TalentFirst, our commitment to making sure kids can read starts with teachers. Thank you to the teachers who build confidence, curiosity, and opportunity for our kids!

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Maintenance tech shortages aren’t future risks—they’re impacting uptime, reliability, and costs for West Michigan manufacturers. Find out more about our Manufacturing Talent Alliance to help solve this today - contact [email protected]

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Early literacy = talent pipeline. Only 45.2% of MI 3rd graders read proficiently. See how TalentFirst is driving impact: https://t.co/E13SyF4hVG

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

📷 TalentFirst in the news 📷 Zinzer Elementary was recognized for its outstanding commitment to early literacy—earning a Literacy Leadership Award and a $1,000 to support their continued work. https://t.co/A0sEcpAIhh

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Congratulations to Zinzer Elementary and all of the 2026 Literacy Leader Award recipients who are helping lead the way across West Michigan.

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Lakeview Elementary earned a Literacy Leadership Award. A powerful example of community-driven literacy. 📚

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Holmes Elementary earns TalentFirst’s 2026 Literacy Leader Award—celebrating reading excellence and future leaders. 📚✨ #LiteracyLeader #EarlyLiteracy

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New books. New readers. A dream classroom library unveiled at Beechnau Elementary is helping students fall in love with reading through our Adopt-A-Classroom Library Program. #ReadtoLeadWMI

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Two new Adopt-A-Classroom Libraries at Lakeshore Elementary = stronger early literacy. Investing in readers today strengthens West MI’s future. #AdoptAClassroomLibrary #EarlyLiteracy #TalentFirst #ReadtoLeadMichigan

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

🎉📣 TalentFirst in the news! 📣🎉

Whitmer commits $625M to boost Michigan's childhood literacy as local group distributes grants for libraries: https://t.co/29A9n3GqC5

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Building readers. Strengthening West Michigan’s future.

Yesterday, we unveiled Adopt-A-Classroom Library #2 at West Godwin Elementary — delivering 500+ books to support early literacy through our Adopt-A-Classroom Library Program!

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

A classroom full of readers—and a future full of possibility. TalentFirst celebrated a 2nd grade class in Mason County yesterday with our Adopt-A-Classroom Library program. Read more about our literacy initiatives: https://t.co/zQzBHV5CXV

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Access skilled workers. Increase retention. Join West Michigan employers who are turning second chance hiring into a sustainable talent strategy.

📅 March 4 | 9:30–11:30 AM

RVSP Today: https://t.co/vVs36SSRgM

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Check out our team member Carly Smyly, MSOP, SHRM-SCP, featured as the guest speaker at the February HR Connect Roundtable.

📅 Feb 11 | 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 OVD Insurance (Grand Rapids)
Register: https://t.co/c9WF9brWRT

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Early literacy is workforce development. TalentFirst is advancing early literacy through coordinated initiatives like the West Michigan Literacy Collaborative, Literacy Dashboard, classroom library awards, and literacy leadership recognition.

Learn more: https://t.co/xXspUlA91D

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

The 8th Annual Career Readiness Conference returns March 10, 2026 at GVSU, bringing together employers, educators & workforce leaders across Agribusiness, Healthcare, IT, Manufacturing & Construction.

Free. Bold insights. Real strategies.

https://t.co/Nwn4ZEbd0N

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

📚 Thanks to our Adopt-A-Library program, Ms. Tiffany LeRoux’s first graders at Holton Elementary now have access to books that help them grow. “This grant helps my students build skills and a love for reading. We are beyond thankful and blessed!” #ReadToLeadWestMI

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

Young men across Michigan are disengaging from education and work—and employers have a critical role to play.

Our CEO Kevin Stotts shares why this matters and how employers can help lead the solution in our latest blog:
👉 https://t.co/T5zHvIjaCk

[TalentFirst @WMTalentFirst]

📣 TalentFirst in the news — early literacy front & center.

“Reading is foundational to workforce competitiveness and economic mobility.” — Kevin Stotts

Michigan ranks 44th in 4th-grade reading. This is a workforce issue.

https://t.co/kxEIACSDOd