The annual state program makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training plans funded through the talent fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must also lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and industry recognized. 

To help employers in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties further understand the program and the upcoming application process, Michigan Works! West Central will be holding a virtual information session at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16. Employers interested in attending the event, are asked to contact Business Services Director Merri Bennett at mbennett@mwwc.org. 

“Our dedicated team of Business Services Specialists are ready to work with employers across our six-county region to identify their training needs and put together a comprehensive application to submit to the state,” Bennett said. “The Going PRO Talent Fund provides competitive awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retraining current and new employees. It is a wonderful program that I encourage all eligible businesses to utilize.”

Through the Talent Fund, employers can apply for up to $1,500 per individual in training funding assistance for new or existing employees. Up to $3,000 per individual is available for each new U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprentice. Additional incentives will be available for target populations this year, including veterans, active military reservists, older workers, returning citizens, individuals with disabilities, public assistance recipients and high school diploma/equivalency. 

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) grants the funds to employers each year through Michigan Works! Agencies. All applications in the competitive-grant program must be submitted to the state through Michigan Works! The application period for the annual training program opens Sept. 30, and continues through Oct. 28. More details will be provided at the information session on Sept. 16.

In the first seven years of the Going PRO Talent Fund (formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund), Michigan Works! West Central has helped secure nearly $3 million to train more than 2,600 workers at more than 50 different companies across its six-county service area. Of those 2,600-plus workers, 76 were new USDOL registered apprentices. 

“The Going PRO Talent Fund is one of the many tools Michigan Works! West Central has available to offer to businesses looking to train their employees,” said Shelly Keene, Michigan Works! West Central executive director. “We encourage all eligible businesses to attend the upcoming virtual information session before working with our Business Services team to assess their training needs, identify training opportunities and submit a comprehensive application to the state.”

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 Julie Sanders at (231) 349-6072 or jsanders@mwwc.org; for Lake and Osceola counties, contact Mark Buss at (231) 791-7065 or mbuss@mwwc.org; and for Mecosta and Newaygo counties, contact Chad Marr at (231) 660-0258 or cmarr@mwwc.org. For more information about the upcoming virtual information session, contact Merri Bennett at (231) 583-2029 or mbennett@mwwc.org.

To learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund, or click on the links below.