When Shape Corp., a global engineering and manufacturing company based in Grand Haven, set out to expand its workforce and prepare for the transition to electric vehicles, it turned to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Talent Action Team. For Amy Rencher, senior vice president of small business and talent at the MEDC, this partnership illustrates the power of collaboration in building a stronger, more resilient workforce for Michigan.
A Customized Approach for Employers
The heart of the Talent Action Team’s work is tailored solutions that meet each employer’s needs. Rencher emphasized that this starts with a structured process.
“We work closely with employers to review their priorities through a letter of intent, which outlines the programs available to support their goals,” she said. “From there, our staff makes introductions to the right partners in education, workforce, and government, and we activate those solutions together. It is not one-size-fits-all. It is a collaborative strategy built around the employer’s objectives.”
For Shape Corp., that meant recruitment support, access to enhanced employer services through West Michigan Works!, and engagement with specialized initiatives like veteran hiring programs. The company also became one of the first employers to partner with preK-12 schools in its region, exposing middle school students to career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
Recruiting and Retaining Talent at Scale
With the MEDC and West Michigan Works! at their side, Shape Corp. launched a comprehensive hiring and training plan. A national marketing campaign amplified job opportunities, while targeted outreach connected the company to veterans and skilled workers across the Great Lakes region.
“Much of the success came from enhanced funding we provided to West Michigan Works!,” Rencher noted. “That flexibility allowed their team to be more creative in recruitment, which has been vital for Shape Corp.’s consistent hiring needs over the past two and a half years.”
Retention was just as important as recruitment. Through the Retention Solutions Network, financially supported by the Talent Action Team, Shape Corp. employees gained access to career coaches and barrier removal services, from transportation to childcare support. These services helped employees stay on the job while building long-term financial and personal stability.
A Model for Michigan’s Growth
For Rencher, the Shape Corp. story reflects the broader purpose of the Talent Action Team: to align Michigan’s talent ecosystem to serve both immediate and long-term industry needs.
“The partnership with Shape Corp. is a great example of how we customize Talent Action Team solutions,” she said. “Not every employer engages in every offering, but together we identify the solutions that best fit their needs. That flexibility is what makes the model so effective.”
Rencher also highlighted the role of collaboration in driving Michigan’s economic success. “Public-private partnerships bring education, workforce, government, and industry leaders to the same table,” she said. “When those voices come together, the creativity, resource-sharing, and outcomes are remarkable.”
Looking Ahead
As the automotive industry transitions to electrification, other sectors face rapid change, and the skills needs of the industry continue to evolve, Rencher sees continued opportunity for the Talent Action Team to deliver value.
“Over the past three years, we have seen success after success,” she reflected. “Employers like Shape Corp. have been able to weather economic uncertainty and keep investing in their people because they know they have strong partners in Michigan. That is what excites me most, the chance to keep building on these partnerships so that Michigan remains a hub of innovation, opportunity, and skilled manufacturing.”
For Shape Corp., the partnership has already paid dividends. For Michigan, it demonstrates how collaboration can shape the state’s workforce future.
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