Southwest Michigan (June 9, 2022) – The Workforce Development Board for Michigan Works! Southwest announces the award of a Going PRO Talent Fund Industry-Led Collaborative (ILC) grant totaling $138,065. The Going PRO Talent Fund creates and expands collaboration between Michigan Works! Agencies, economic development organizations, and educational agencies by funding demand-driven technical training across a variety of industries. Michigan Works! Southwest assisted companies in assessing their skill gaps and applying for this ILC funding, which will be used to train 171 local residents at six companies.

Going PRO Talent Fund grants are awarded by Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to assist employers in enhancing the talent and productivity of current and newly hired employees, while increasing employment retention and the competitiveness of Michigan’s businesses. ILC awards are awarded to a group of employers who have agreed to come together to solve a common or shared workforce training need.

The Going PRO Talent Fund grant awards assist local employers in offering customizable, short-term trainings that meet employers’ technical skill requirements and address talent gaps. “Going PRO Talent Fund awards provide a tremendous opportunity for employers to meet their talent needs, as well as provide tools and resources that will be critical to post-pandemic recovery,” said Ashley Iovieno, Business Services Manager for Michigan Works! Southwest.

In partnership with the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA) and the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), the following six companies are partners in the Mid-South Manufacturers Collaborative Group and the Going PRO Talent Fund ILC award:

• Autocam-Marshall
• Erbsloeh Aluminum Solutions – Portage
• Goodwill Industries SW-Kalamazoo
• Marshall Excelsior Company-Marshall
• Schupan Aluminum and Plastic Sales- Kalamazoo
• Sekisui Voltek LLC – Coldwater

“The results from the training will result in company leaders equipping team members to be successful independently and interdependently,” said Jacquelyn Murray, Human Resources Manager at Marshall Excelsior. “These actions will produce positive outcomes within our companies and each individual’s personal life. The results will not only impact our businesses favorably but will also positively impact families and the surrounding communities.”

Organizations interested in more information regarding available training options, including the Going PRO Talent Fund, should contact Ashley Iovieno, Business Services Manager for Michigan Works! Southwest, at iovieno@upjohn.org.

About Michigan Works!
Michigan Works! Southwest specializes in talent development strategies for employers and job seekers. In alignment with COVID-19 safety protocols, services can be accessed virtually at the Michigan Works! Southwest website (www.michiganworkssouthwest.org) or by contacting any of Michigan Works! Southwest service centers, via phone, which are located in Kalamazoo at 1601 S. Burdick Street, in Battle Creek at 200 W. Van Buren, in Coldwater at 210 Vista Drive, and in Three Rivers at 16587 Enterprise Drive. Additional information is available online at the Michigan Works! Southwest website www.michiganworkssouthwest.org.

To find other Michigan Works! locations in Michigan visit www.michiganworks.org or call (1-800) 285-WORKS (9675).