2025 Cycle I Application Period Closes Oct. 18!

The Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF) provides competitive awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the GPTF must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. 

Applications are submitted by Michigan Works! West Central for employers in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties. Customized/classroom training can apply for up to $2,000 per individual, or $3,500 for USDOL Registered Apprentices. 

The FY24 Cycle I winners were announced in December 2023, including 11 companies from the West-Central region. To view a complete listing of the winners from our region, click here. The FY24 Cycle II winners can be viewed by clicking here. The FY25 Cycle I application period is open now through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18!

Incentives for Targeted Populations, including Veterans, Active Military Reservists, Older Workers, Returning Citizens, Individuals with Disabilities, Public Assistance Recipients and High School Diploma/Equivalency, are available. 

To learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund.

If you have any questions about applying, please contact our Business Services team. 

• Mason & Oceana counties – Kimberly Tagliareni (231) 679-8787 or ktagliareni@mwwc.org
• Lake & Osceola counties – Kevin Welch (231) 679-6035or kwelch@mwwc.org
• Mecosta & Newaygo counties – Chad Marr (231) 679-8746 or cmarr@mwwc.org

All applications in the competitive-grant program must be submitted to the state through Michigan Works! The Talent Fund helps to ensure Michigan’s employers have the talent they need to compete and grow in the global economy, and ensures that individuals have the necessary skills they need for the wide variety of in-demand jobs in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) grants the funds to employers through Michigan Works! Agencies. Locally, Michigan Works! West Central’s Business Services team is ready to work with employers to assess their talent skill gaps, identify training needs and assist in finding suitable training providers. Michigan Works! West Central’s Business Services staff will work with employers to submit applications to LEO for approval.

Training plans approved through the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and industry recognized.

Here are a few examples of skilled trades training utilized by our local companies and funded by the program: 

• Welding
• Blue Print Reading
• Pneumatics/Hydraulics
• Maintenance Troubleshooting
• Mechatronics
• GD&T
• CAD
• USDOL REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS!

Since the program began, 50 percent of the awards have gone to companies with less than 100 employees and approximately 38 percent to companies with 500 or less. And since its inception in 2014, Michigan Works! West Central has helped secure nearly $4.3 million nearly 60 different companies (146 total awards) in our six-county service area! That equates to the training of nearly 3,700 workers, including funding for 137 USDOL registered apprenticeships! 

For a list of companies and trainings that have been approved click here.

To take adantage of this grant and to apply, please contact our Business Services team today!

For more information about the Going PRO Talent Fund, eligible training and how to apply, contact Michigan Works! West Central’s Business Services team today. For businesses in Mason and Oceana counties, contact Kimberly Tagliareni at (231) 679-8787 or ktagliareni@mwwc.org; for Lake and Osceola counties, contact Kevin Welch at (231) 679-6035 or kwelch@mwwc.org; and for Mecosta and Newaygo counties, contact Chad Marr at (231) 679-8746  or cmarr@mwwc.org.