Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren has secured $1.1M in competitive grants from the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund to help 16 local employers enhance their workforce. The grants awarded provide funds to local employers for training, developing, and in some cases retaining employees.
“Going PRO funds are critical for ensuring we have a skilled workforce and that our employers remain competitive,” said Mark O’Reilly, Director of Business Solutions at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “The funding supplements the costs for more than 650 new workers, incumbent workers and apprentices to upgrade their skills in high demand industries that keep southwest Michigan running.”
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. 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.
In the first cycle of Going PRO funding awarded in January, the Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren team helped secure $2.5 million in competitive grants from the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund to help 33 local employers enhance their workforce.
Michigan Works! has additional resources to help existing companies develop trainings, support growth and hiring needs, and retain employees. The next cycle of Going PRO Talent Fund grant applications will be available in October.
Employers are encouraged to reach out to Berrien County Business Solutions Manager, Michael Mompremier at MompremierM@miworks.org or Cass and Van Buren Business Solutions Manager, Jennifer Leich at LeichJ@miworks.org to start the application process. For more information about Going PRO, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund.
