Michigan employers looking to take advantage of the Going PRO Talent Fund program are now able to apply for a share of approximately $50 million in competitive training awards in the first Going PRO Talent Fund cycle! 

The Going PRO Talent Fund helps ensure employers have the talent they need to grow and stay competitive by providing awards to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training must fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer and lead to a transferable, industry-recognized credential.

Since the program’s launch, the Going PRO Talent Fund has provided training for approximately 175,000 Michigan workers and supported the needs of more than 6,000 businesses.

Going PRO Talent Fund helps local businesses secure the in-demand, high-skill talent they need to grow while giving local workers a clear path to high-wage careers that offer a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

Grants are awarded to employers through the Michigan Works! network, including Michigan Works! West Central. Participating employers play an integral role in defining their key training needs, then working with their local MWAs and other partners to develop an appropriate training plan.

Among other responsibilities, employers who apply for Going PRO Talent Funds are expected to participate in the planning and designing of the training project and use Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org) and their local MWAs to recruit for job openings. 

Businesses interested in learning more or applying for funding should contact their local Michigan Works! West Central Service Center. Contact information may be found here.

The application period for the first award cycle ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, and selected applicants will be announced in December 2023. The second application cycle will open spring 2024.

To learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund.

The Governor’s Sixty by 30 program aims to help 60 percent of working-age Michiganders achieve a certificate or postsecondary degree by 2030. Find out more at Sixtyby30.org.