LANSING, Mich.-The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has awarded more than $2 million in grants to nine programs to help employers fill their talent needs. These programs connect adult education participants in the state directly with employers by linking adult education, career, and technical skills, and workforce development.
Programs that receive funding will work with the Michigan Works! network to identify a cohort of participants who are most prepared to successfully enter the workforce. Participants must be working toward achieving their high school diploma or its equivalency or receiving remediation services through one of the funded adult education programs.
“Providing this connection between adult learners and local employers greatly increases the employability and earning potential of Michigan’s citizens,” Stephanie Beckhorn, director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training said. “This program helps fill the current talent gap by educating workers with the in-demand skills Michigan businesses are looking for.”
Students will receive technical training in a wide variety of areas, including construction trades, healthcare, information technology, machining, robotics, and welding.
Participants will work with an adult education navigator to design an educational program best suited to their personal and employment needs. The navigator will also support participants by connecting them to supportive services, such as transportation and daycare.
Programs collaborate with employers to develop and implement these programs, ensuring services and instruction align with the needs of local employers, and to also obtain commitment to provide employment opportunities to students who successfully complete the program. Michigan Works! provides information regarding careers that align with local labor market information, employability and soft skills training, resume writing, and employer connections to participants to obtain employment in a specific in-demand occupation.
Programs will be awarded up to $350,000 each. Grantees include:
| CTE Center | Adult Education Providers | Michigan Works! Office | CTE Courses / CDL Training Offered |
| Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center | Allegan, Plainwell | West Michigan Works! | Automotive Technology 1; Intro to Welding; Residential Construction Basics; CNA |
| Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center | Bay-Arenac ISD, Clare, Fulton, Mt. Pleasant, Bullock Creek, Swan Valley | Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! and Michigan Works! Region 7B | Bridge to Healthcare (CNA); Medical Office Assistant I & II; Welding; Auto Technology; CNC/Machining; Construction Trades |
| Michael Berry Career Center (Dearborn Public Schools) | Dearborn | Southeast Michigan Community Alliance Michigan Works! | Health Occupations: Allied Health 1 and Allied Health 2 |
| Sault Area Career Center and Rudyard Area Schools | Engadine Consolidated Schools | Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! | Welding; Manufacturing; Certified Nurse Assistant; Microsoft Suite; Woodworking |
| Genesee Career Institute* | Beecher, Caro, Owosso, Genesee ISD, Lapeer, Mt. Morris, Port Huron, Swartz Creek, Tuscola, Westwood Heights | GST Michigan Works! | Automotive Technology; Certified Nursing Assistant; Construction Trades; Electrical Occupations; Welding; Visual Digital Communications-Screen Printing; CDL: Professional School Bus Driver |
| Kent Career Tech Center | Kent ISD, Sparta, Rockford, Belding | West Michigan Works! | Welding; Phlebotomy; IT Fundamentals; Applied Construction Technology; Sterile Processing; Culinary Arts and Meat Processing; Pharmacy Technician; Automotive Maintenance and Servicing |
| Muskegon Area Career Tech Center | Fruitport, Orchard View, Whitehall | West Michigan Works! | Welding; Machining; Medical Administration; Electrical Technologies; Construction Trades |
| Careerline Tech Center (Ottawa Area ISD) | Zeeland | West Michigan Works! |
FANUC Robotic Programming; Plumbing; Property Maintenance and Electrical Technician; Certified Nursing Assistant Program; Applied Welding Technology Program; Medical Office Program |
| Wexford-Missaukee ISD Career Tech Center | Northwest Education Services | Northwest Michigan Works | Healthcare; Manufacturing; Heavy Equipment; Commercial Truck Driving |
*New program
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