Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! was awarded nearly $2.2 million to fund training for 49 employers in the region in 2018 through the Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF). Seven employers in Gratiot and Isabella counties were awarded STTF grants totally $217,516:
- The Cobbler Shop Shoes and Pedorthic Center
- Dayco Products LLC
- General Agency Company
- Michigan Agricultural Commodities
- Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing, Inc
- The Delfield Company – A Division of Welbilt
- Avalon & Tahoe
Approximately 257 people are being trained with those funds. Training includes pedorthic/orthotic education, electrical maintenance, welding, Advanced Microsoft Office, confined space safety training, and manufacturing skills upgrades.
The money comes from the Skilled Trades Training Fund, a state-funded program designed to help employers develop the talent they need to compete and grow.
For 2018, Governor Snyder and the state legislature appropriated nearly $29 million for the program. Last fall, business services representatives from Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! worked side-by-side with 54 employers to help them compete for a portion of that funding.
Although the name is “Skilled Trades Training Fund,” the scope of the training allowed is much broader, explains Ann Marie Batkoski. “Any company can apply for the grants and receive funds for training existing and new employees, as long as the training is for full-time employees and leads to a credential that is transferable and recognized by the industry.”
Employers awarded grant funds will use them for training in lean manufacturing, emergency medical technician (EMT) to paramedic training, as well as traditional skilled trades certification.
Preparation of grant proposals will begin soon. Click here if you are interested in learning more.
