WSI Named a 2026 Network Impact Award Winner by Staffing Referrals

Recognition honors WSI's Best in Class performance in Light Industrial staffing, driven by the strength of its referral network

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Workforce Strategies, Inc. (WSI), a Midwest-based staffing and recruiting firm, has been named a 2026 Network Impact Award winner by Staffing Referrals, earning Best in Class honors in the Light Industrial category.

The Network Impact Awards recognize staffing firms that most effectively grow their business through employee and candidate referrals, based on data collected through the Staffing Referrals platform. Winners are selected for placing a significant share of referred candidates into jobs — a direct reflection of the trust candidates and employees place in their experience with the firm.

This award was earned one referral at a time, by people who trusted this team enough to send them a friend.

David Folwell, President of Staffing Referrals

For WSI, the honor reflects a simple reality: the people it places are its best advocates. Across its offices, WSI connects job seekers with light industrial, manufacturing, skilled trades, and professional opportunities — and a growing share of those candidates come through referrals from people who’ve had a good experience with the WSI team.

Jeff O’Brien, WSI CEO said, “At WSI, we made a strategic decision to invest heavily in employee referrals because we believe the best recruiting networks are built on trust, not job-board traffic. Our experience has shown us that great employees tend to know other great employees, which is why our best employees are also our best recruiters. For our clients, that means access to a deeper network of proven, referred candidates who may never respond to a traditional job posting. This award validates the investment we’ve made in building that network and, more importantly, the competitive advantage it creates for the companies that partner with WSI.”

For businesses partnering with WSI, this recognition underscores what a strong referral network signals: candidates who are engaged, satisfied, and willing to put their own name behind the recommendation. That’s a pipeline built on trust — not just volume.

About WSI WSI is an award-winning staffing and recruiting agency specializing in light industrial, manufacturing, skilled trades, and professional placement throughout the Midwest. WSI connects job seekers with opportunity and helps businesses solve their toughest workforce challenges. Learn more at wsitalent.com.

About Staffing Referrals Staffing Referrals is a referral marketing platform built for the staffing industry, helping firms grow through the power of employee and candidate networks. The Network Impact Awards recognize the firms that do this best.

Learn More About Our Award

Job Interview Rules Have Changed: Are You Out Of Touch?

candidate sits foregraound with a big iced cofee on the table while factory manager reviews his resume in background soft focus.

Old interview rules are fading. Employers care less about your coffee cup and more about preparation, reliability, and communication.

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Is West Michigan Running Out of Qualified Workers? The New Data Says Yes.

Top-down view of an industrial conveyor belt carrying ten manila job folders, four stamped “QUALIFIED” in red, with a red ink pad and wooden stamp beside the belt.

West Michigan now produces four credentialed graduates per ten openings. Here is what the data means for manufacturers.

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Is Michigan Actually the Laziest State AGAIN? Based On the Criteria, Yes.

production associate relaxing in the recliner with his smartphone and chips while the vertical bagging machine continuously operates, resulting in the specified cascade of chip bags overflowing onto the floor and surrounding him

Michigan ranked last for hard work again. The metric that did it measures scheduling volatility, not effort. Employers should notice.

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Michigan Laid $6 million on the table. Why will most manufacturers not pick it up?

A medium-wide, eye-level shot inside a clean manufacturing facility, viewed through a clear glass partition. In the center, a male executive in a light blue dress shirt and grey slacks stands on a low platform, shaking hands with a young woman in dark blue industrial work clothes while presenting her with a framed certificate. They are flanked by a diverse group of coworkers in shop and business-casual uniforms who are smiling and applauding. The background features bright, even factory lighting, tidy workbenches, and large industrial machinery.

Michigan just handed out $6M more in Going PRO training grants. Most eligible manufacturers still aren’t applying. Here’s why that’s a mistake.

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Gen X’s Secret Blueprint to Break Free from Full‑Time Work: Phased Retirement

a confident, middle-aged team lead in a light-blue shirt instructing two younger employees in a brightly lit warehouse setting.

Retirement today no longer means a sudden exit at age 65 with nothing on the calendar except golf. Many Gen Xers and younger Boomers view a hard stop as financially unwise and personally unfulfilling. Phased retirement offers an alternative path: a gradual reduction in work hours that combines continued earnings, ongoing benefits and meaningful engagement. This model provides a gentler transition for employees and helps employers retain critical skills.

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Unlocking Compliance and Security with E-Verify: Your Essential Guide

In today’s ever-evolving employment landscape, businesses face significant challenges in ensuring compliance with federal regulations while managing a diverse workforce. As employers navigate these complexities, E-Verify emerges as a crucial tool in maintaining legal and ethical hiring practices. Our latest eBook, “Verified Futures: Navigating E-Verify,” is designed to guide you through the intricacies of this system and help you build a compliant and secure workforce.

Why E-Verify Matters

E-Verify, managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), is an online system that verifies the eligibility of employees to work in the United States. By comparing the information provided on an employee’s Form I-9 against government records, E-Verify delivers quick and accurate results about work authorization, making it one of the federal government’s highest-rated services in terms of user satisfaction.

Ensuring Compliance and Mitigating Risks

Compliance with federal immigration laws is critical for avoiding substantial fines, legal penalties, and reputational damage. E-Verify provides a reliable method to confirm employees’ work authorization, thereby reducing the risk of hiring unauthorized workers. Additionally, employers using E-Verify in good faith are shielded from certain penalties during audits or investigations, offering an added layer of legal protection.

Streamlining Hiring Processes

E-Verify not only aids in compliance but also streamlines the hiring process by providing results within seconds. This efficiency reduces the administrative burden associated with verifying work eligibility, allowing HR departments to focus more on strategic tasks rather than paperwork.

The Role of Staffing Agencies

Staffing agencies play a pivotal role in helping employers maintain E-Verify compliance. By partnering with agencies that utilize E-Verify, companies can benefit from expert compliance teams, reduced risk of hiring unauthorized workers, and efficient management of documentation and recordkeeping.

Building Organizational Integrity

Using E-Verify underscores a company’s commitment to ethical hiring practices and legal compliance. This dedication not only enhances organizational integrity but also fosters trust and loyalty from customers, clients, and employees.

Learn More with WSI

At WSI Recruitment and Staffing, we prioritize compliance and ensure that all workers are thoroughly verified. Our use of E-Verify guarantees that our clients’ workforces meet legal standards, mitigating the risks of hiring unauthorized employees. Discover how WSI can support your employment needs and enhance your staffing strategy by visiting our website and downloading our comprehensive eBook, “Verified Futures: Navigating E-Verify.”

Confidence Comes with WSI

Partner with WSI for peace of mind and compliance excellence. Learn more about our services and how we can help your business succeed in today’s complex labor market

Toys For Tots Toy Drive

Toys for Tots logo on chalkboard

For many parents in West Michigan, the thought of not being able to provide toys and gifts for their children at Christmas is devastating. That’s why the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program has been there to help over 270 million children since 1947.

The need for Christmas magic is always growing. WSI and Toys for Tots are teaming up to make Christmas morning a bit brighter for those less fortunate this holiday season. In 2020, more than 12,000 toys were delivered to over 10,000 children in the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek area alone. Without your generous support of Toys for Tots each year, these children may not have a gift under the tree.

We’re asking our clients, associates, staff members, neighbors and friends to donate a new unwrapped toy at our Toys for Tots drop-off boxes located at our offices listed below:
Kalamazoo – 3497 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Battle Creek – 201 Fritz Keiper Blvd, Battle Creek, MI 49037
Grand Rapids – 1960 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Holland – 12972 James St Suite 40, Holland, MI 49424

If you’d like to make a donation, you can click here. All donations made at this link will stay in the local area and are not redistributed throughout the National Campaign. It’s a one step online process that will help bring a smile to a child in need this Christmas. You can donate through PayPal for security and ease, or even donate Cryptocurrency.  Thank you for making the holidays bright for children in West Michigan.