GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After graduating from high school, some young adults may not know what's next for them. That's where the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT) steps in to help, and has been doing just that since 2005. Based on the west side of Grand Rapids, the organization has training programs from cybersecurity to the pharmacy technician pathway program all at no cost.
"WMCAT provides a culture of opportunity for people to make social and economic progress in their lives and in community. We fulfill our mission through visual arts and tech engagement, adult workforce development and social enterprise,” WMCAT president Jamon Alexander said.
WMCAT’s ‘Step Year’ is a tuition-free program for Kent County adults ages 18-24. They can take advantage of resources the programs offer to develop a plan for their success.
"Students are guided on this journey of self-discovery of college and career exploration as well as connections to different employment pathways in a variety of sectors," said WMCAT director of workforce development Renida Clark. "At the end of the program, students then develop an action plan towards their next steps, whether that be going into post-secondary or going straight into a career.”
Students enrolled in the program can qualify for an attendance-based stipend up to $1200 and a trip to Toronto, Canada for those who successfully complete the program. The spring cohort meets twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays beginning March 4 until May 30 followed by monthly check-ins.
"The point of this program is for you to get some experience to explore self, to explore careers, different careers, explore different colleges, and you don't have to have everything figured out,” Clark said.
The organization said that at the end of the program students should have a better idea of what's next. They should also be more prepared to take the next steps towards their future.
“The most dignifying way that we can support their journey is to curate space for people to dream, to explore, to experience, and to make choices that are rooted in their own personal values and who they believe themselves to be who they want to be,” Alexander said.
WMCAT has extended their application deadline to Tuesday, February 20 and the program is completely free. The 2024 spring cohort begins March 4.
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