Great Lakes Wire

The Going PRO Talent Fund is extending opportunities for Michigan employers through its competitive training grants. The grant aims to support businesses by facilitating the hiring of new talent and enhancing the skills of current employees. The program offers tailored training solutions catering to the specific needs of small businesses.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has disbursed $42.7 million in GPTF grants to 697 businesses statewide. These grants will assist in training 8,089 new hires and 14,692 existing employees. Since its inception in 2014, the Talent Fund has played a significant role in workforce development by distributing 7,480 grants, impacting over 220,000 workers in Michigan.

Applications for the Employer-Led Collaboratives started on March 24, 2025, and will remain open until the allotted funds are fully utilized. For Cycle 2 of Fiscal Year 2025, applications for the Going PRO Talent Fund are open from April 14, 2025, and will close at 5 p.m. (ET) on May 2, 2025.

The Talent Fund provides awards to help employers with the training, development, and retention of both current and newly hired staff. It focuses on short-term training that addresses specific talent needs of employers and leads to industry-recognized credentials with skills that are transferable.

The funding is allocated by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Workforce Development through the state’s workforce system, also known as Michigan Works! Agencies (MWA). MWA Business Services staff collaborate with employers to evaluate their skill gaps, find appropriate training providers, and identify federal funding possibilities. The staff determines the suitability of Talent Fund awards to assist in bridging skills gaps and facilitates an online application process for employers.

Employers interested in applying are encouraged to contact their local Michigan Works! Talent Fund Key Contact for further information.