Talent Investment Agency grants help state Adult Ed programs fill talent gap

Grants allow Michigan residents to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent or receive remediation services and learn in-demand skills at the same time

Contact: Stepheni Schlinker
517-420-5137
schlinkers@michigan.gov

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Talent Investment Agency (TIA) announced today that the agency is awarding up to $4 million in grants to six existing, and five new, programs that help Michigan residents obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent or receive remediation services while, at the same time, allowing them to learn in-demand skills through an Area Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center program.

These programs are a collaborative effort between adult education providers, CTE centers and the local Michigan Works! Agencies across the state. Local adult education program staff work with the Michigan Works! Agencies to identify program participants. Participants are eligible the July 1st after their 18th birthday, must be working toward earning their high school diploma or equivalent or receiving remediation services and must be dually enrolled and attending adult education classes and at least one technical course, at a local CTE center. Additionally, participants may also receive state/industry-recognized credentials or be eligible to take state certification tests upon completion of the career and technical education program.

“Earning a high school diploma, or an equivalent degree, along with technical skills related to an in-demand occupation, greatly increases the employability and earning potential of Michigan’s citizens,” Stephanie Beckhorn, director of TIA’s Workforce Development Agency, said. “This program helps fill the current talent gap by providing workers who have the in-demand skills Michigan businesses are looking for.”

Students receive technical training in a wide variety of areas, including, but not limited to, construction trades, healthcare, information technology, machining, and welding.

Participants work with an adult education navigator to design an educational program best suited to the personal and employment needs of each individual. Supportive services such as transportation and daycare are also available to program participants.

Michigan Works! Agencies provide information regarding careers that align with local labor market information, employability/soft skills training, resume writing and employer connections to participants in order to help them find employment in a specific occupation.

Individuals interested in these programs should contact their participating local adult education office.

Programs are being offered in the following areas:

Continuation Programs for 2018-19

CTE Center	Adult Ed Providers	Michigan Works!	CTE Courses Offered
Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center	Bay-Arenac ISD, Clare, Fulton, Mt. Pleasant, Bullock Creek/Saginaw (ETC), Gladwin, Swan Valley	Great Lakes Bay Region MI Works!	Bridge to Healthcare (CNA); Welding and Construction Trades, CNC Machining
Eastern UP ISD (Sault Area High School and Career Center)	Engadine Consolidated Schools	Upward Talent Council	Welding, Manufacturing, Automotive, CNA, Microsoft
Lenawee ISD Tech Center (including Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry)	Adrian and Hillsdale	MI Works! Southeast	Health Sciences, Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology, CNC and Robotics
Mecosta-Osceola ISD Career Center	Evart, Fremont, Mason County Central	MI Works! West Central	CNA, Manufacturing/Machining, EMT, Automotive Electrical Systems, Welding, Information Technology and Corrections
Muskegon Area ISD Career Tech Center	Fruitport, Orchard View, Whitehall	West MI Works!	Welding, Machining, Electronics and Healthcare
Wexford-Missaukee ISD CTE	Traverse Bay Area ISD	Northwest MI Works!	Healthcare, Hospitality, Welding, and Machining

 

New Programs for 2018-19

CTE Center	Adult Ed Providers	Michigan Works!	CTE Courses Offered
Michael Berry Career Center (Dearborn Public Schools)	Dearborn	ACCESS	Business, Healthcare, IT
Kent Career Tech Center	Kent ISD (Grand Rapids and Wyoming areas), Sparta, Rockford	West MI Works!	Health – CNA, Informational Technology – Computer User Support Specialist
Lapeer ISD Technology Center	Lapeer ISD	GST MI Works!	Welding/Machining
Careerline Tech Center (Ottawa Area ISD) and Allegan County Area Tech & Ed Center (Allegan Area ESA)	Zeeland, Allegan, Plainwell	West MI Works!	Careerline:  CNA, CNC/Machine Shop, Applied Welding Technology Allegan:  CNA, Welding Machining
Traverse Bay Area Career-Tech Center	Traverse Bay Area ISD	NW MI Works!	Auto Technology, Welding, Culinary Arts

 

About the Talent Investment Agency (TIA) TIA is the agency that combines Michigan Unemployment Insurance and Workforce Development and is responsible for their activities. Businesses need a talented workforce. Workers need the right skills to compete for available jobs. TIA programs are focused on job preparedness, career-based education, worker training, employment assistance and unemployment insurance.