This press release was submitted by White Lake Area Futures Democratic Club and is published by CatchMark Community as a community announcement.
WHITEHALL, MI – Jobs and the economy were center stage at the June 10th Kitchen Table Social Series – 2026 a public forum hosted by the White Lake Area Futures Democratic Club at the Viking Athletic Center (VAC) in Whitehall. The forum featured John Padilla, Jr., Vice President, UAW Local #1243, Alicia Goll, Student Success Navigation, Project & Success Coach Manager, at Muskegon Community College (MCC), and Justin Brownlee, Admissions Representative for MCC who both shared educational opportunities at MCC. Materials were shared from West Michigan Works, as well, with extra copies left at the VAC for the public. The discussion shared the partnerships of the UAW, MCC, and West Michigan Works and the options available to those seeking career and educational opportunities from ages 16 on up. Participants also discussed the upcoming August 4 vote to restore the MCC millage to the original 2.4 mills, which would add $14.90 yearly on a home market value of $100,000. The restoration is needed to continue improvements to learning spaces, building systems and student areas.
Courtesy photo: Ken Mahoney, chairperson, White Lake Area Futures Democratic Club, addressing participants.
Data released on June 10, 2026 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor reveals that over the last 12 months the Consumer Price Index for all items has risen by 4.2 percent. Meanwhile, energy increases have skyrocketed with all types of gasoline rising by 40.5 percent and fuel oil rising by 58.9 percent.
The speakers agreed that higher transportation costs are posing challenges for students and workers alike. At Howmet, there has been an increase of workers traveling for their jobs from across Muskegon County and surrounds as far as Baldwin each day. According to Goll and Brownlee, the Promise guarantee for all in-district students and the drop of eligibility to all high school graduates AFTER 2015, has led to greater options for new high school grads and returning students. It is further enhanced by RECONNECT, a state program that serves adults over 25 years of age who don’t already have a degree. The coaches at MCC can help all students, in-district and out-district, to find resources to get into and through their chosen educational programs. Further, recognizing transportation as a barrier, there is gas assistance for students in need that includes bus passes and gas cards. The success coaches are there to help. The interest has grown exponentially. Of the 1800 students in the summer term, 700 students are 25+ years of age. The Senior Citizen student over age 60 is allowed free tuition. Navigating the technology can pose challenges to non-traditional students.
Courtesy photo: Alicia Goll and John Padilla, Jr
Ms. Goll shared that their MCC team coaches help all potential students to navigate the process of their student application to MCC and registration for classes. Since the pandemic when there was a shift to virtual classes, MCC administrators have seen more students returning to in-person classes, though virtual courses are still popular as they help to defray the increasing transportation costs. Mr. Brownlee said that MCC’s credits transfer easily to other universities and said that they are seeing students in high school who are dual enrolled where they
Mr. Padilla shared that they have apprenticeship programs for the skilled trades that are in partnership with MCC and promoted also by West Michigan Works. MCC has a service technical department that also sees students getting certifications within one year. Though not needed to apply, when applicants have certifications, they can quickly move up with an even higher-paying job at Howmet. The advantage to workers at Howmet is that they can literally live, learn and work in their backyard. There are no age limits for adults applying for jobs at Howmet. There are incentives like a $5,000 signing bonus and up to $33 per hour with Union benefits. The Union also encourages its members to be part of the various 21 stakeholder committees that provide an inclusive culture at Howmet. Those workers are proud of the fact that every U.S. plane has components manufactured by the workers at Howmet. Howmet has a total of 3700 workers, 2100 are with the UAW–the largest UAW local in Muskegon County. The products generate more than $1 billion annually.
The time to go to school and / or to go to work in a high-paying career job is now.
Take advantage of these opportunities:
To meet with career and success coaches and to apply to MCC: call 231-773-9131 or stop by MCC at 221 Quarterline Road, Muskegon, MI 49442.
To apply for jobs at Howmet go to: howmet.com
Sign up for the Weekly Hot Jobs email with West Michigan Works at: https://bit.ly/weekly-hotjobs
For more information about jobs for youth seeking career exploration, mentorships, peer connections and activities go to: westmiworks.org/job-seekers/Youth Workshops to enhance seeking jobs (resume writing, interview skills) both in-person and virtual are found at westmiworks.org and info@westmiworks.org
Questions about the MCC millage restoration proposal, visit: www.muskegoncc.edu/millage
The next Kitchen Table Social Series – 2026 forum is “Education and Childcare” on July 8, 2026, at 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Viking Athletic Center, 541 E. Slocum Street, Whitehall, MI. The event is FREE and the public is welcome; a light meal is served, goodwill donations welcome. For questions, call or text the WLAF secretary at 517-887-0580.
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