Flint & Genesee Education & Talent

Developing and retaining Genesee County’s talent and attracting new talent to join the workforce

Economic development isn’t just about attracting businesses – it also requires cultivating a strong, skilled workforce to sustain those businesses. To assist in that work in 2024, Flint & Genesee Education & Talent actively sought feedback, explored new approaches, and adopted a mindset of continuous improvement.

Preparing youth for the workforce

Since 2007, TeenQuest has equipped thousands of Genesee County students in grades 9-12 with the pre-employment and leadership training needed to “stand up and stand out” in today’s workforce. Each year, graduates of the program put their new skills to the test by interviewing with and working for local employers through Summer Youth Initiative (SYI).

More than 15 years after the launch of these programs, Education & Talent recognized the need to analyze their evolution, review participation trends, explore updates that strengthen programming, and account for changes in the economic environment. A third-party evaluation confirmed the positive impacts of the program for participants – and defined additional opportunities for career connections and coordination among stakeholders. Meanwhile, the division remained committed to providing meaningful opportunities for students.

While the report was underway, the division remained committed to providing meaningful opportunities for students. In 2024, 444 students graduated from TeenQuest and 209 teens secured jobs with 30 employers through the SYI Job Fair. Additionally, 29 Flint students ages 16-19 participated in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Summer Youth Employment Program, which introduces youth to outdoor job opportunities and recreation activities.

Beyond these core programs, Education & Talent also delivered 50 customized career preparation workshops to 1,545 middle and high school students.

On the post-secondary front, Flint Promise continued to ease the financial burden of college for high school students who reside in and graduate from schools within the city of Flint. In 2024, 106 Flint Promise scholarship students were enrolled at Kettering University, Mott Community College, and the University of Michigan-Flint. Of those students, 17 graduated, reflecting the program’s growing impact. 

Strengthening professional development

In the ninth year of the division’s business training catalog, nearly 450 participants attended 21 workshops. This included a new marketing series attended by 80 participants representing 46 different employers.

Education & Talent also saw 15 local leaders graduate from Leadership Flint & Genesee. This leadership development program provides in-depth leadership assessments, one-on-one coaching, and monthly training sessions. Each cohort is tasked with completing a capstone project benefiting a local nonprofit. Leaders in the 2024 class collaborated with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint, providing recommendations for marketing, staffing engagement and retention, and strategic planning.

Additionally, the division established a new alumni engagement and outreach strategy, inclusive of graduates of the program not just from its last 11 years but also from predecessor programs Leadership Flint and Leadership Genesee.