Ready Now: 200 jobs, 70 applicants

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Mark Alonso hasn't worked in a factory since college, but he's taking advantage of a new program from Michigan Works called Ready Now.

Ready Now is an innovative approach to match employees with employers, but this is not your typical job fair. Michigan Works! teamed up with several local employers to fill more than 200 manufacturing jobs.

But as of Monday, there are only 70 potential employees. The week-long program begins next week, and organizers are scrambling to fill the seats.

"It just defies logic," said Maureen Downer of Michigan Works! "I know that there are a lot of people in this area that used to work in manufacturing."

She's afraid she'll disappoint the manufacturers who agreed to participate if she can't find enough participants.

An orientation session told participants what they can expect during the week-long event. One of them was Alonso.

"I have to sell Mark Alonso," he said. "I need to show an employer that I am ready to contribute to their bottom line, whatever that is."

He, too, was surprised the room wasn't packed.

"Well, I don't understand that. If someone is looking for employment, the opportunities are here. I don't know what they are waiting for. You got to get busy living."

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Online:

Michigan Works! - Ready Now (information and online application)