Going PRO Talent Fund

The Going PRO Talent Fund independent application period for Fiscal Year 2022 has closed. The application period for Industry-led Collaboratives (ILCs) opened February 1, 2022. ILC applications will be accepted throughout the year, subject to available funding.

The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund) makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.

Please click here to access the Work-Based Learning Online Management System (WBLOMS):
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The WBLOMS cannot be accessed using Microsoft Internet Explorer)

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - Workforce Development awards funds to employers through Michigan's workforce system, commonly known as Michigan Works! Agencies (MWA). MWA Business Services staff conduct fact-finding sessions with employers to assess their talent skill gaps, suitable training providers, and availability of federal funding sources. The MWA Business Services staff then determines whether Talent Fund awards are appropriate to help close the skills gap, and grant employers access to a convenient online application submission process. Interested employers should contact their local Michigan Works! Talent Fund Key Contact (see map below) early to allow ample time for the fact finding process to ensure applications are completed in time for review.

For more information about the Talent Fund, review the following:

Awards 2014-2022

Total Number of Awards: 5,300
Average Award Amount: $32,479
Average Training Cost Per Person: $1,075

Key Contacts

Michigan Works! Talent Fund Key Contacts by Region and County

Featured Impact Stories

Crystal Steel House
Crystal Steel House is a family-owned manufacturing /fabricating company in a county of 11,000 people, where skilled talent is hard to find. Randy Peterson, owner and sole employee, has been described as a master craftsman in his field of welding and fabrication. Having over 30 years' experience and a very strong work ethic, he applied for $1,500 to partially offset the cost of hiring and training a military veteran. "The Skilled Trades Training Fund Grant has helped my business grow," stated Randy Peterson. "I am hoping to expand and hire more employees in the near future."
Duncan Aviation
Duncan Aviation is the only maintenance provider in Michigan with unique capability to perform the vast array of services offered to the large turbine engine corporate aircraft market. As a result of the training, Duncan will be able to maintain and expand their capacity to work on more aircraft. The training will contribute to succession planning and career advancement of technicians. In addition, Duncan will continue to hire additional technicians that will begin a training process of using classroom, computer-based training, and on the job experience to become proficient technicians.
Rapid Response EMS
Rapid Response EMS of Romulus has received an influx of requests for high-level Critical Care Advanced Life Support ambulance transportation. A Critical Care transport is the highest level of ambulance transportation available and due to the shortage of Paramedics in the State of Michigan; it was apparent that they must upskill their existing senior Paramedic staff to meet the demand. Due to the Talent Fund award, Rapid Response EMS is now able to staff multiple Critical Care Transport ambulances around the clock in support of Wayne County citizens.