Nearly 700 businesses receive funding to train 22,000 Michiganders

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has awarded $42.7 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants to 697 businesses across the state. Businesses will use the funding to train 8,089 new hires and 14,692 current employees starting in January 2025. Since its launch in 2014, the Going PRO Talent Fund has provided workforce development opportunities by awarding 7,480 grants to support more than 220,000 Michigan workers.

"The Going PRO Talent Fund provides Michiganders the opportunity to learn new skills and advance their careers while empowering businesses to grow, innovate and compete in our fast-changing economy,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin (left). “By fostering a stronger connection between workforce development and business needs, we’re building a Michigan where individuals and employers alike can thrive, creating lasting economic growth and opportunity for all."

This cycle of the Going PRO Talent Fund addresses emerging workforce needs. Eligible training programs supported by the Going PRO Talent Fund include classroom training and on-the-job training for new employees and registered apprentices. The fund also supports upskilling and reskilling for existing employees, helping them adapt to new technologies and industry trends. The average cost to train one employee is $1,412.

Of the 22,781 Michiganders who will receive workforce training through this round of grants, nearly 4,000 are in Registered Apprenticeship programs. There are more than 21,600 active Registered Apprentices and over 800 unique programs in Michigan, making the state home to the sixth-highest number of active Registered Apprentices in the nation. With more than 520,000 jobs and 45,500 annual openings in the professional trades expected by 2030, the Going PRO Talent Fund is addressing skill gaps and preparing Michigan’s future workforce.

"The Going PRO Talent Fund transforms opportunities into success stories for both Michigan workers and businesses,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training (left). “It empowers employees to build in-demand skills that open doors to rewarding careers, help them secure financial stability, and provide greater opportunities for their families. By investing in people and their potential, this program drives progress, fosters growth and supports a thriving economy across Michigan."

Grants through the Going PRO Talent Fund are awarded in partnership with Michigan Works! Agencies. Participating employers play an integral role in defining their key training needs, then work with their local Michigan Works! Agency and other partners to develop strategic training plans.

“Every year, we work with dozens of Detroit employers to get them access to the supportive funding that Going PRO provides,” said Dana Williams, President and CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. “Whether the training helps to grow new talent or upskill existing employees, hundreds of Detroiters at businesses serving a wide range of industries have been able to take their careers to the next level with Going PRO.”

A full list of Going PRO Talent Fund Cycle 1 grant recipients for the 2025 fiscal year is available online at Michigan.gov/TalentFund. Additional funding will be available through the second cycle of Talent Fund awards which will open in Spring 2025.

The Going PRO Talent Fund is a key part of LEO’s broader All-Access Michigan approach, supporting the goals of the Michigan Statewide Workforce Plan. The 2023 Employment and Training Annual Report shows Michigan provides employment services to more participants than any other state in the Midwest and is #2 in the nation for helping adults get employed.

To learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund and its impact, visit Michigan.gov/AllAccess.

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