GOING PRO TALENT FUND
The Going PRO Talent Fund awards funds to employers for 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.
Expand your workforce | Upskill your employees | Remain competitive in your industry
Fiscal Year 2025
CYCLE 1 APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED OCT 18
Don't miss your chance to apply for a portion of $50 million in competitive awards to help train your workforce!
​
Reach out to the Business Solutions Professional for your county to help put together your application today!
Angie Asam | Cheboygan & Presque Isle counties | asama@nemcworks.org | 989.306.7550
Jennifer Coughlin | Otsego & Montmorency counties | coughlinj@nemcworks.org | 989.306.7975
Kip Sircely | Crawford & Oscoda counties | sircelyk@nemcworks.org | 989.306.7658
Ruth Gray | Alpena & Alcona counties | grayr@nemcworks.org | 989.306.8437
AN EASIER APPLICATION PROCESS
If you’ve applied for Talent Fund awards in the past, you’ll be happy to see a simpler, streamlined application process that will allow you to see your score in real-time and make adjustments prior to submission. If this is your first time applying, come find out why Talent Fund awards are one of the most sought-after resources in the state.
TRAIN CURRENT & NEW EMPLOYEES
Talent Fund awards can help your business stay competitive by upskilling and reskilling your employees.
All training must show a demonstrated need and lead to a transferrable, industry-recognized credential that counts towards the state’s Sixty by 30 educational attainment goal. Get started by speaking with your Michigan Works! Business Solutions Professional today!
DID YOU KNOW...
-
Going PRO funds can be used for on-the-job training cost reimbursement in addition to classroom/customized training
-
Up to $2,000 per trainee is available via Going PRO for classroom and on-the-job training, with up to $3,500 available per USDOL Apprentices
-
Since its inception, the Going PRO Talent Fund has directly funded more than $100 million toward talent and workforce development programs.
OVER $50 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR 2025
HOW DO I APPLY?
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - Workforce Development (LEO-WD) awards the funds to employers through Michigan Works! Agencies (MWA).
Michigan Works! Agencies (MWA) Business Solutions 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 Solutions staff can then determine whether Going PRO Talent Fund grants would be appropriate to help close the skills gap.
​
During the application period, MWAs submit Going PRO Talent Fund applications on behalf of their partnering employer. Contact your Michigan Works! Business Solutions Professional to get started.
​
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
TRAINING IMPACTS IN NORTHEAST MICHIGAN
The Going PRO Talent Fund allows us to hire employees with virtually no manufacturing experience and train them with the necessary skills on how to read blueprints, part prints, and to effectively operate CNC-based machine tools, along with other types of manual equipment. Exposing our employees to these types of trainings is imperative in order for H.B. Carbide to be successful in implementing our core strategy for future longevity.
Jeff Kleven
Plant Manager, H.B. Carbide
We can now better analyze and understand data that is being entered and report out for inventory, invoicing and our scheduling. Thank you Michigan Works! and the Going PRO Talent Fund, for helping us have the ability to do this training, it’s going to be a big benefit to our business and our employees that were able to get the training.
Kyle Yoder
Controller, Metalfab
The many little changes I’ve made in how I operate my business has led to a noticeable difference in my bottom line. As I’m bidding out new contracts, I now have a better understanding of operating a leaner business and can position
myself to comfortably expand services to a larger customer base.
Garrett Godfrey
Owner, Shine Cleaning Services
Our organization is always striving for continuous improvement and as a result
of this training our staff is now better equipped to employ problem-solving tools to enhance our internal processes. Thanks again Michigan Works! for helping make this collaboration happen!
Jessica Mika
HR Manager, Weyerhaeuser
The two employees receiving the training were newer supervisors; it gave them much needed knowledge to help implement efficient practices in their areas and around the facility. The training was beneficial to their subordinates as well, and helped develop our supervisor’s ability to train others.
John Metts
HR Manager, Springs Window Fashions
With this grant for training in CNC and Lean Manufacturing there was a flow of opportunity in advancement for the current employees. Now our employees are cross-trained, which is strengthening the company.