About the Michigan Skilled Trades Training Fund
The $20M Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) is available to assist businesses in filling critical talent needs and to provide individuals with the skills needed for in-demand jobs. The STTF provides competitive awards for short-term training that boosts quality and competitiveness, and that leads to opportunities for new jobs and/or wage growth for existing workers.
How to Apply
The STTF begins October 1, 2014. Applications are available through your Business Liaison, starting October 1. To start the Application process in Antrim, Emmet, and Charlevoix counties, contact your Northwest Michigan Works! Business Liaison. In Cheboygan County contact your Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Liaison.
What Employers Are Saying About STTF
“I would like to offer my thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Michelle Socha, Northwest Michigan Works! and the State of Michigan for the manufacturing training assistance that we received as a result of our Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) grant. The application process couldn’t have been smoother. From start to finish, I think it only took us three weeks from when we heard about the program to when we knew that we’d been selected. I didn’t encounter any red tape or bureaucracy. We sent nine employees through an onsite LEAN Bootcamp program and all nine earned the Lean Champion Certification through NMC and MMTC-North. We have completely transformed our operation as a direct result of the lean manufacturing training we received.”
—Matt Bulloch, President, TentCraft
“Last year Petoskey Plastics received $27,000 from the Skilled Trades Training Fund. We utilized it to train 41 of our technicians in two classes; blueprint reading and blown film process. Several of our associates were part time employees and were moved to full time as a result of this training. A larger group received pay increases after completing the training, and a few received promotions. North Central Michigan College served as our trainer for both classes. Working with the college made the process seamless from the first step of completing the paperwork to handing out the certificates. Michigan Works was equally as helpful. The Petoskey office was exceptional in every aspect from providing information and help with the application process to follow up during the training and closing the loop at the end of training. This grant not only helped us stay competitive in a global market but gave the Petoskey area a much needed boost in the economy. Thank you to everyone for making this a successful collaboration.”
—Allan Hopkins, Petoskey Plant Manager, Petoskey Plastics
Materials:
Overview Presentation by Northwest Michigan Works
STTF Fact Sheet
STTF Overview
STTF FAQs
Links:
http://www.michigan.gov/wda/ for the Dashboard, Success Stories, and more.
Tom Erhart, Business Growth and Retention
Northern Lakes Economic Alliance
1313 Boyne Ave., P.O. Box 8
Boyne City, MI 49712
www.northernlakes.net
Assisting Entrepreneurs to Retain and Create Jobs in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan,and Emmet Counties in partnership with MSU Extension, Networks Northwest, MEDC, NCMC, Char-Em ISD and Baker College.
