Building Careers, Breaking Barriers:
Connecting Talent to Opportunities
Looking back on 2024, we are inspired by the many projects and partnerships that flourished throughout the year. Building on last year’s growth, SEMCA’s teams delivered high-quality programs to help individuals explore career pathways and strengthen connections between talent and employers across the region. We worked tirelessly to remove barriers for those seeking training, job opportunities, or support to advance in their careers, keeping our commitment to driving change at the forefront of our efforts.
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A key highlight was the expansion of apprenticeship programs. Through collaboration with employers, we raised awareness and created more opportunities, connecting talent to exciting career paths. The projects featured in this report showcase the lasting results of these efforts.
The launch of WayneLINC was another significant achievement. The response exceeded expectations, and the outcomes have been transformative. Program participants shared inspiring stories of financial independence, stronger families, and newfound skills and self-confidence. We are proud of their success and how they’ve overcome challenges to create better futures.
In addition to this growth, we strengthened our core programs and found new ways to meet the evolving needs of job seekers and employers. We focused on regional collaboration, driving resources to youth outreach, addressing shifts in mobility industries, and offering more training opportunities across the area.
SEMCA also introduced initiatives to increase access to services. By using data to identify barriers, we expanded programs that provide more opportunities to everyone in the community. Removing these barriers remains central to our strategy.
As we concluded our three-year Strategic Plan, leadership turned its focus to the next phase of growth to better serve career seekers and businesses. The upcoming plan emphasizes expanding SEMCA’s reach, strengthening partnerships, and optimizing operations to connect talent with opportunities. We’ve already enhanced service delivery and are measuring quality to ensure we provide the best support to job seekers and employers. Our commitment to collaboration will help us address evolving needs and achieve even greater outcomes.
As the Chief Elected Official and Chair of the Southeast Governmental Alliance Board and Chair of the Workforce Development Board, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to SEMCA’s boards, staff, and collaborative partners for their dedication and innovative efforts. Their unwavering commitment has been vital to our achievements, and we are excited to continue building on this strong foundation as we work together toward even greater success.
The 2024 Annual Report showcases SEMCA’s impact, and as CEO, I invite you to explore these stories and celebrate our collective progress. With continued support from our partners, we’re excited to keep this momentum going.
We are deeply grateful for the dedication of our teams and partners. Together, we’ve made a lasting difference for those we serve. Our contracted service providers—Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Downriver Community Conference (DCC), Educational Data Systems (EDSI), Employment & Training Designs (ETDI), The Information Center, Michigan Workforce Development Institute (WDI), Monroe County Employment and Training Department (MCETD), Monroe Intermediate School District and SERCO—remain central to our success. We’ve expanded our network by welcoming the Autism Alliance of Michigan, Center for Employment Opportunities, Detroit Training Center (DTC), LAHC (Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities), MiSIDE and Wayne Metro, significantly enhancing our ability to serve more customers.
Respectfully,
Commissioner Abdul “Al” Haidous – SEGA Board Chair and Chief Elected Official
Charlotte “Charlie” Mahoney – Workforce Development Board Chair
Gregory Pitoniak – Chief Executive Officer
