The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce has announced a new initiative to help high school students connect with employers via an app. Chamber Director Ryan Boeskool tells us Emerge Skilled is a tool developed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. With it, students and employers can set up profiles that each can see. Boeskool says pockets of the state are part of Emerge Skilled, but Niles will be the first in southwest Michigan.
“In our role here as the local chamber, we discussed the possibility of our local manufacturers, our local schools engaging with this platform to see if we can help keep local talent local,” Boeskool said.
Boeskool describes Emerge Skilled as being similar to Linked In. The chamber is working with Niles Community Schools and Brandywine Public Schools to set up profiles for students.
“We’re working hand in hand with the CTE directors to help develop a set of best practices for the administrators, for the students, and for the employers to help this matchmaking effort be efficient and successful.”
Boeskool says not only can the app help students find job opportunities, but it can lead to training, often paid for by the employers. The goal is to get it up and running by September 14. An event is planned at Southwestern Michigan College in Niles Wednesday for the app to be officially unveiled.
