There are several grants in Michigan that are available to your organization to support the training needs for busines. Going Pro is a fund that is extremely helpful with training your existing team or new hires and does apply to some Lean Manufacturing Training Applications and Six Sigma.
The information below is from the Going Pro Website:
“Going Pro” (formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund) is a state-funded program in Michigan aimed at helping employers train and develop their workforce in skilled trades and technical occupations. These grants are typically administered by Michigan Works! agencies and provide funding to businesses for training and apprenticeship programs.
The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund) makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by 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 recognized by industry..
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Workforce Development awards funds to employers through Michigan’s workforce system, commonly known as Michigan Works! Agencies (MWA). MWA Business Services staff conduct fact-finding sessions with employers to assess their talent skill gaps, suitable training providers, and availability of federal funding sources. The MWA Business Services staff then determines whether Talent Fund awards are appropriate to help close the skills gap, and grant employers access to a convenient online application submission process. Interested employers should contact their local Michigan Works! Talent Fund Key Contact (see map below) early to allow ample time for the fact finding process to ensure applications are completed in time for review.
Featured Impact Stories
Wolverine Advanced Materials
Wolverine Advanced Materials is a developer and manufacturer of high-performance materials with a core competency in specialty elastomer-coated metals that offer damping and seal-ability solutions in the automotive and gasket industries. “The trainings helped provide the missing proper skills and knowledge for our employees. It also helped improve morale and showed our commitment to their growth and development. Ultimately, this helped shift the company from staying afloat during the pandemic to having our best performance year to date. The team was able to improve customer relationships through their ability to understand technical drawings and provide customers with the proper dimensions and specifications for our product offerings.”
Jordan Manufacturing Company
Jordan Manufacturing Company provides tooling, metal stampings, and assemblies for a wide variety of industries across the globe. “Training improved business operations by increasing production and reducing downtime. Training also strengthened existing skills and provided employees with new tools and communication methods. This allowed for better teamwork, more efficient troubleshooting, and quicker decision making.” “The entire team assisting us with Going Pro funding (and the trainers they recommended) have been extremely helpful to us. We could not have gotten through the last two years without them.” – Justin, President.
SAMES KREMLIN Inc.
SAMES KREMLIN Inc. manufactures and distributes finishing equipment to apply paint, powder and adhesives. “The award touched every employee in our company through training focused on technical, leadership, and innovation skills. Employees received over 24 certificates for skilled trades. They completed over a dozen different subjects such as electrical safety, troubleshooting, IT, and software designer essentials. Several staff were promoted post training after demonstrating new leadership competencies. Over 95% of staff received increases in wages.”
Awards 2014-2023
- Total Number of Awards: 6,307
- Average Award Amount: $35,430
- Average Training Cost Per Person: $1,250
Data is accurate as of July 14, 2023. Data is updated on a quarterly basis.
For more information:
Going Pro Website – https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/programs-services/going-pro-talent-fund
Email Address for MIWORKS for assistance with Going Pro – business@westmiworks,com
Consider GKW Business Solutions as your trainer for your Going Pro Grants. Identification of a trainer in advance of the application process will improve the chance of being approved for this grant. Give Will or Mike a Call to discuss how we can assist with the application process.
