Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren has secured $1.7M in competitive grants from the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund to help 30 local employers enhance their workforce. The grants awarded provide funds to local employers for training, developing, and retaining employees.
“Our number one goal is to ensure southwest Michigan businesses remain competitive in the local and national market. One way to do that is by upskilling and training their teams,” said Mark O’Reilly, Director of Business Solutions at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “The Going PRO Talent Fund will allow local employers to train over 920 new workers, incumbent workers, and apprentices without the financial stress that often comes with training.”
There are many training programs eligible for funding, including classroom training, which prepares individuals with the skill set required to meet the employer’s needs and diversify the skill sets of current employees. In addition, employers can also receive onsite job training reimbursement for wages paid while training a new or existing employee on a new process, new technology, or new machines. Apprenticeships are also supported through Going PRO funds.
In collaboration with Michigan Works!, employers will work with training providers, such as Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MTTC), Lake Michigan College, and Southwestern Michigan College to deliver the training resulting from the grants.
Awardees of the recent cycle of Going PRO funds are: Accu Die & Mold, Inc.; Allegiant Linen Services; Ausco Products, Inc.; Beaudoin Electrical Construction Inc.; Bonnell Aluminum; Bronson Health Foundation; Compton Inc.; Danch, Harner & Associates; Dehring Mold & EDM; DUO Form Plastics; Edgewater Automation, LLC; Envision Automation; Fortress Manufacturing; Freedom Finishing, Inc.; Gaishin Manufacturing; Gast Manufacturing; Griffin Tool, Inc.; InterCare Community Health Network; Max 3, LLC; Midwest Die Corporation; Niles Precision Company; NSG Group – Pilkington; Ralph Moyle Inc.; Shoreline Mold & Engineering LLC; Special-Lite; Sticky Spoons Jam; Sunberry Paw Paw Beverages Limited LLC; Vickers Engineering, Inc.; W.R. Grace; and Wolverine Corporation.
