LANSING, Mich. — Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!) is calling on state lawmakers to undo proposed cuts to multiple successful workforce development programs, including one that helps small businesses offset the cost of training their workers and another providing career and educational assistance for at-risk youth.
“While I understand that resources are limited, and legislators have difficult decisions to make, these are programs with proven successful track records,” said Carrie Rosingana, chief executive officer of CAMW!. “During times of fiscal uncertainty, we would strongly encourage lawmakers to continue to fund programs where you know you’ll get a good return on your investment, and that’s why we need these programs off the chopping block.”
One of the programs entirely defunded is the Going PRO Talent Fund, which awards grants to businesses to train employees for an area of demonstrated need and gives them an industry-recognized skill or credential. Only employees who primarily work in Michigan are eligible, and over the last 10 years, over 90% of awards have gone to businesses with less than 500 employees.
“MediLodge, which operates over 50 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities across Michigan, has relied on GPTF since 2022, to support the training of nearly 4,000 health care workers, helping them gain vital skills to better serve Michigan’s aging population. Workers who completed training saw an average wage increase of 8% within six months,” said Heidi Lowe, talent acquisition project director at MediLodge. “This isn’t just about reimbursement dollars and training hours; it’s about building a resilient health care system. MediLodge uses GPTF to show what strategic investment in workforce development can lead to: better patient care, higher employee retention and stronger local economies.”
CAMW! and the other 15 Michigan Works! agencies around the state are an integral part of the GPTF application process. CAMW!’s Business Services staff conduct fact-finding missions, help employers determine training needed for their workforce to include in an application, support employers in finding a training source and facilitate the application process.
Another program that loses its funding in the House Republican budget proposal is Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates, which connects at-risk youth to employment and training opportunities. CAMW!’s subrecipient staff with Peckham and the Lansing School District won a national team award, along with multiple individual and team awards at the state level, at nation- and statewide gatherings this summer.
Finally, the Barrier Removal Employment Success grant program is also defunded. BRES provides additional funding to support the employment and reemployment of at-risk individuals and the removal of barriers to employment for low-income individuals. In the Capital region, BRES funding supports employee retention in partnership with local employers for people who are currently working in lower wage jobs but are not eligible for other assistance or job support programs.
