March Madness is back again!

It’s one of my favorite times of the year.

The next few weeks brings out the best in basketball players and fans.

I love how that passion and energy crosses into our lives.

Workforce development, our local high school and NCAA basketball tournaments share a common theme: the unsung Cinderella story. Too often inspirational stories and journeys go unnoticed until an unforgettable buzzer-beater or major upset. They exemplify resilience and the power of hard work and dedication.

In Genesee County, our version of March Workforce Madness offers the same competitive and exciting atmosphere as on the basketball court.

Throughout March, our local students are in the spotlight to showcase their skills, develop their talents, and embark on their own workforce journey, gaining valuable experience and confidence for their future careers.

We have great opportunities coming up for our students!

March Workforce Madness kicks off with the Genesee County Youth Bureau’s annual 7^th and 8^th grade youth conference, where this year’s theme is spreading kindness and enhancing empathy.

The annual day-long event focuses on addressing social issues, building leadership skills, and promoting career exploration. I’ll meet with students to share how they can success in mechatronics, metal trades and skilled trades

Later that day, the second round of March Workforce Madness will tip off at John Kennedy Intermediate School.

We’ve partnered with Cooley Comics to pair student creativity with AI tools that create new universes and opportunities for students to explore their personal ‘superpowers’.

Rounding out March Workforce Madness is the fourth annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare festival.  Approximately 600 students from grades 8-12 from every GLOW region high school will gather at Genesee Community College to connect with various healthcare businesses and organizations.

It’s a great opportunity to educate our local students about the many alternative pathways available for them after high school.

GLOW Co-Chairs Karyn Winters and Angela Grouse lead a great group of volunteers and GLOW Workforce team members that make this event a success.

March Workforce Madness shows that our students do not need to go far to find their next workforce opportunity. Like the NCAA tournament bracket, there is a pathway to the top whether you start as a 1-seed or a 12-seed. We thank all our local companies who support these events.

To learn more about local workforce programs and opportunities, contact me at 585-343-4866 or [email protected] or visit www.gcedc.com/careerchecklist.

- Coach SwazZ