The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund) makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees.
Donor Name: Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity-Workforce Development (LEO-WD)
State: Michigan
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Training or Mentorship
Deadline: 04/24/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
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.
The Talent Fund brings many benefits to Michigan’s employers and employees. The program:
- Helps ensure Michigan’s employers have the talent they need to compete and grow, while ensuring individuals have the skills they need for in-demand jobs.
- Expands and improves employees’ skills and develops their opportunities for growth or promotion within the company and for economic advancement.
- Addresses skill shortages by reskilling and upskilling Michigan workers based on employers’ needs.
- Supports an increase in credentials, certificates and degrees through employer-responsive training that enhances talent attraction, productivity, and retention.
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.
Funding Information
The amount requested on the Training Plan cannot exceed the $2,000 or $3,500 per person cap.
Eligible Expenditures
Eligible training expenditures include the actual costs for the:
- Classroom or customized training (including textbooks and lab fees),
- New employee OJT training,
- USDOL Registered Apprenticeship classroom or customized training and OJT.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Employers
To be eligible for a Talent Fund award, an employer must:
- Have a need for skill enhancement, including USDOL Registered Apprenticeship programs and advance-tech training programs for current employee(s) or new employee(s).
- Have a physical location in Michigan where work is conducted.
- Be a non-government private entity; for profit and non-profit.
- Be compliant with all state tax obligations including, but not limited to, corporate, sales, use, withholding, personal income and unemployment insurance taxes.
Every eligible employee, current or new, must meet all of the following criteria:
- Permanent, full-time employee of the employer when the approved training begins.
- Full-time employment is defined as 32 hours per week or more.
- Seasonal and/or part-time employees, current or new, are not eligible
- If individuals have worked for the employer through a temporary staffing agency, leasing agency or on contract with a Form 1099, the individuals must be increasing their job responsibilities or learning a new job.
- Works primarily in Michigan, and for whom the employer pays all applicable taxes to the State of Michigan, regardless of where the employee lives.
- Example: Employee lives in Wisconsin, works for employer in Escanaba (or remotely for employer in Southfield) and taxes are paid to the State of Michigan. The employee is eligible.
- 18 years of age or older.
- U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.
For more information, visit Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
