LANSING — Tonya Heikkinen of Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! was awarded Michigan’s “Shining Star” award by the Michigan Works! Association for going above and beyond to help job seekers and employers in the area.

“Hardworking frontline staff like Tonya are why Michigan’s workforce development system is so strong,” said Michigan Works! Association CEO Ryan Hundt. “Her focus and commitment to helping job seekers and employers in our state is improving lives of Michiganders every day and that is why she is a Shining Star.”

The Shining Star awards celebrate Michigan Works! frontline staff who, through dedication and outstanding contributions to workforce development, personify the Michigan Works! mission.

Tonya Heikkinen is on the business services team at Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Her warm and open nature is a perfect fit for any role in workforce development. In transferring from the talent side to the business services side, she picked up the new role at a pace rarely seen. Businesses who work with her are very pleased with her customer service and colleagues and managers are thankful to have her working on any project. She does her homework, asks questions and goes for it without hesitation.

The award was presented at the association’s annual conference in Detroit recently. Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan’s talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-110