The Business Services Professional (BSP) Certification Program was developed jointly by South Central Michigan Works! and the School of Labor and Industrial Relations, Michigan State University (MSU). The BSP process educates economic development, workforce development, and educational professionals on how to blend assets to play a much more significant role in creating and retaining employment in our communities. The BSP process effectively enables the practitioner to meet the demands faced by many businesses.

Business Service Professional’s job duties include but are not limited to helping develop job descriptions or orders, identifying appropriate candidates, running job fairs, assisting with direct hires, etc. The services available are robust, comprehensive, customizable, and fall into the following general categories:

Talent Recruitment
  • Outreach to colleges, universities, Michigan Works! partners, community and professional groups, and Veterans
  • On-Site Interviewing, and Job Fairs

Candidate Pre-Screening Services
  • Facilitate candidate/business match
  • Pre-screen resumes and applications

Workforce Assessments
  • Identify talent and workforce needs and challenges
  • Develop a plan of action
  • Identify key talent partners

Training Support
  • On-the-Job, classroom, and incumbent worker training
  • Internships; apprenticeships; and other work experience opportunities
  • Just-in-time or customized training to address current talent apps

Business Attraction, Development, and Retention
  • Partnership with local Economic Development and Community Affairs for new hires, company launch, retention and expansion information

Hiring Incentives
  • Worker Opportunity Tax Credit
  • Fidelity Bonding

Layoff Support and Early Warning Systems
  • Rapid Response to mass layoffs and closures
  • Worker orientation to educate employees on outplacement and retraining assistance, and access to Trade Adjustment Assistance information

Networks
  • Access to Chambers of Commerce, county-based economic development and community affairs, business accelerators and incubators, local industry-led talent groups, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Small Business and Technology Development Center, and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Other Resources
  • Skilled Needs Assessment
  • Soft Skills Training
  • Emerging Sectors
  • Mobile Computer Training

For more information on the Business Service certification please contact South Central Michigan Works! 517-437-3381