Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! was recently awarded nearly $1.8 million to fund training for 52 employers in the region.
The money comes from the Going Pro Talent Fund (formerly known as the “Skilled Trades Training Fund”), a state-funded program championed by Senator Ken Horn designed to help employers develop the talent they need to compete and grow. The scope of training allowed is broad as long as it is for full-time employees and leads to a credential that is transferable and recognized by other industries.
Business services representatives from Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! worked side-by-side with 76 employers to help them compete for a portion of $31 million in funding available for 2019. Statewide, 1209 employers submitted grant applications asking for $70 million.
“This is the third year in a row we have successfully helped employers in five counties benefit from millions of dollars in training to enhance talent, productivity and retention,”says Chris Rishko, chief executive officer for Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Employers awarded grant funds will use them for a variety of training opportunities, including lean manufacturing, inventory management, accounting/tax software, skilled trades certification and much more.
“Our employees feel like we invested in them,” says Kelli Schmidt, Mistequay Group, which received more than $80,000 for training its staff in 2018. “This is because Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! invested in us.”
Nexteer’s Julie Malesky echoes that sentiment. “Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is a huge asset to our region,” she says, “working with them to compete for training funds further enhances our successful relationship because it deepens their understanding of our business challenges.”
Congratulations to this year’s Going Pro Talent Fund recipients from Saginaw, Midland, Bay, Gratiot and Isabella counties who were awarded grants:
Water and Woods Field Service Council, Boy Scouts of America
Advanced Tex Screen Printing, Inc
BGT Aerospace LLC
Cambron Engineering Inc
Die Stampco Inc
ESCON Group, Inc
J & T Tool & Die, Inc
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Michigan Sugar Company
Modern Machine
Universal Printing
York Repair
RWC Inc
Amigo Mobility International Inc
B & J Tool Services
Eagle Machining
Aircraft Precision Products, Inc
Town & Country Group
Quality Air Service, Inc
Alloy Construcion Service, Inc
CareBuilders at Home
Case Systems, Inc
Freeland Steel Erectors, Inc
Ingersoll CM Systems, LLC
J.E. Johnson, Inc Mechanical Contractors
Magnum Construction Company
Sugar Construction
Tannas Company a division of the Savant Group
Three Rivers Corporation
Isabella Bank
J. Ranck Electric
Mr. Chips, Inc
AHB Tooling & Machinery, Inc
Cech Corporation
Duperon Corporation
Endurance Carbide
Fullerton Tool Company, Inc
Hausbeck Pickle Co
JCP, LLC
Kapex Manufacturing
Mahar Tool Supply
Miller Mold Co
Nexteer Automotive
Pumford Construction, Inc
R&S Cutter Grind
Rock Redi-Mix
Saginaw Products dba Cignys
Sargent Docks & Terminal, Inc
Turn One, Inc
U.S. Graphite, Inc
UMBRAGROUP, Thomson Aerospace & Defense dba Linear Motion LLC
GE Insulation Co
If your business or organization is interested in pursuing a competitive grant for Going Pro Talent Funds, contact Kristen Wenzel at kristenw@michiganworks.com or talk to your business services team representative.
Pictured above: Joe Kaczmarek, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! business services team representative (third from left) presents Going Pro Talent Funds to (from left) Mistequay’s Michelle Mumby, HR assistant, Kelli Schmidt, HR director, and Gary Steele, chief financial officer.
