March 3, 2026
Workforce leaders from across the state will gather in Lansing for the Michigan Works! Association annual Advocacy Day Wednesday, March 11, uniting as a collective voice to highlight the impact of Michigan’s workforce development system and advocate for continued investment in proven, employer-driven solutions.
Each year, representatives from the Association, Michigan Works! Southwest and the state’s 15 other Michigan Works! service areas, meet with legislators to discuss statewide priorities while sharing local success stories from their communities.
This year’s conversations will be guided by the Association’s 2026 Workforce Strategy, which focuses on keeping people working, building skills, and preventing avoidable setbacks that can disconnect workers from the labor force.
According to Michigan Works! Southwest Director Jakki Bungart-Bibb, the group will highlight Michigan’s strong national performance, including top rankings in credential attainment for adults, employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, and the continued growth of registered apprenticeships. Michigan now ranks fourth nationally in active apprenticeships, due to a model that delivers high retention rates and long-term benefits for both workers and employers.
“Michigan’s workforce system is delivering results,” Bungart-Bibb said. "There is a lot to celebrate.”
Advocacy Day discussions also will center on three key legislative priorities: responsibly implementing SNAP and Medicaid work requirements with adequate frontline support; scaling registered apprenticeships and high-quality earn-and-learn pathways in high-demand industries; and restoring and expanding the Going PRO Talent Fund to better align training dollars with employer needs.
“This event is a great opportunity to show lawmakers how their investment in workforce development directly impacts workers, businesses, and communities in their own districts,” said Bungart-Bibb. “I’m excited to share Michigan’s strong outcomes and our region’s many success stories and to explain why continued support for this system is so important.”