$4.6M in grant awards will help Michigan industries fill talent gaps

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to announce $4.6 million in grant awards to 13 organizations that will support the development of employer-led collaboratives helping Michigan employers address critical talent shortages throughout the state.

“The Sector Strategies Employer-Led Collaborative grant program will grow our economy by creating opportunity for workers and helping businesses fill their talent needs,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we continue delivering on ‘Make it in Michigan,’ our comprehensive vision for economic development focused on winning projects, investing in people, and revitalizing places, we must use every tool in our toolbox to support our state’s critical industries and connect people seeking opportunity to businesses searching for talent. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator.”

The employer-led collaboratives (ELC) are a group of businesses coming together to solve a common or shared workforce problem. Through this work, the collaboratives will bring together employers, education and training institutions, workforce development organizations and other applicable partners such as economic development organizations and government, to create solutions to fill identified talent gaps. 

Sector Strategies Employer-Led Collaborative grants will support the creation of six new ELCs and the enhancement of seven existing collaboratives. Including this grant cycle, 528 employers and more than 2,500 participants have benefitted from these investments, resulting in nearly 1,200 credentials attained by Michigan workers. 

“These grants will help our state’s employers address critical talent shortages and create more opportunities for Michiganders to develop high-wage skills,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “When all stakeholders work collaboratively, Michiganders benefit from the clear paths we’re building toward good paying jobs that offer a better quality of life – it’s a win-win for our state’s workers and employers.” 

To support the federal government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, priority was given to occupations in the fields of construction and extraction; installation, maintenance and repair; production; and transportation and material moving. Priority was also given to proposals from other key industries in Michigan with a focus on agri-business, energy, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, mobility and outdoor recreation/hospitality. 

“Michigan employers are faced with a wide variety of workforce issues, including talent recruitment, creating customized training programs, and providing support services such as transportation and childcare,” said LEO’s Office of Employment and Training Director Stephanie Beckhorn. “The employer-led collaborative approach has demonstrated effectiveness in addressing issues that matter most to our state’s employers. And while it supports the growth of our state’s businesses, it also creates new and better career opportunities for Michigan workers.” 

The 13 organizations receiving one-time grant funding include: 

There are currently more than 60 formally identified ELCs throughout Michigan. LEO provides technical assistance to support the activities of employer-led collaboratives.  

“Bringing employers together that share common talent pain points and working together to find solutions just works,” said Jack Townsley, who manages a Lenawee County collaborative of chemical manufacturers and a consultant to Lenawee Now, a past grant recipient. “It has worked with chemical manufacturers, auto dealerships, and wineries, and we are looking to apply this approach to other industry sectors.”  

More information about Michigan’s ELCs is available by visiting Michigan.gov/MICA.