Michigan’s economic vitality has always rested on industrial craftsmanship. From automotive tool and die shops in Macomb County and aerospace machining facilities in West Michigan to clean energy battery manufacturing plants across Mid-Michigan, the state’s demand for skilled trade professionals dramatically outpaces available supply.

According to state workforce data, Michigan will see over 540,000 skilled trades job openings through the end of the decade, driven by industrial retirements and technological transformation.

To help commercial employers close this critical talent gap, the State of Michigan operates the Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF). Administered by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) in direct partnership with regional Michigan Works! agencies, Going PRO provides tens of millions of dollars annually in direct, non-dilutive training reimbursement grants.

This definitive workforce development manual details how employers can secure up to $3,500 per apprentice, which training programs qualify, and how to navigate regional Michigan Works! application cycles in 2026.

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1. Award Tiers: How Going PRO Training Grants Are Structured

Going PRO is not a loan; it is a reimbursement grant that pays employers directly for qualified tuition and instruction expenses:

Grant Category	Maximum Award per Participant	Key Requirements & Eligible Programs
Classroom Training	Up to $2,000	Short-term training (under 6 months) resulting in an industry-recognized credential (e.g., AWS Welding, CNC Programming, OSHA 30, CompTIA Security+).
USDOL Registered Apprenticeship	Up to $3,500	Participant must be actively indentured in an approved U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program.
New Hire Training	Up to $2,000	Covers specialized onboarding training for individuals hired within 30 days prior to or during the grant period.
Veteran / Underserved Incentive	Additional $500	Additional reimbursement bonus for training military veterans or individuals from targeted underserved populations.

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2. Eligible Employers & Participating Industries

To qualify for Going PRO Talent Fund awards, an employer must satisfy standard operational benchmarks: * Maintain a physical operating facility located within the State of Michigan. * Be in full compliance with all Michigan Department of Treasury tax obligations and Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) reporting requirements. * Pay trainees standard wages that meet or exceed regional industry norms. * Provide training that leads to transferable, industry-recognized credentials.

Priority Industry Clusters:

1. Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics: Tool & die, mold making, additive manufacturing, robotics integration, and industrial maintenance.
2. Construction & Building Trades: Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, heavy equipment operation, and commercial ironworking.
3. Healthcare: Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), phlebotomy technicians, medical assistants, and surgical technologists.
4. Information Technology & Cybersecurity: Cloud architecture, network administration, data analytics, and ethical hacking.

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3. Approved Training Providers

Training funded by Going PRO cannot be informal, on-the-job peer shadowing. It must be delivered by recognized third-party providers or accredited educational institutions:

• Michigan Public Community Colleges: Custom corporate training programs at Henry Ford College, Macomb Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Schoolcraft College, and Lansing Community College.
• Union Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs): IBEW electrical training centers, Michigan Carpenters & Millwrights, Pipefitters Local 636, and Operating Engineers 324.
• Accredited Private Technical Institutes: Specialized CNC schools, commercial driver’s license (CDL-A) academies, and accredited coding bootcamps.
• Equipment Vendors: Formal training delivered by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as FANUC Robotics or Siemens for proprietary machinery.

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4. The 5-Step Application Process via Michigan Works!

Individual employers cannot submit an application directly to the state in Lansing without going through their local Michigan Works! agency:

[Step 1: Contact Regional Michigan Works! Business Services Rep]
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[Step 2: Needs Assessment & Identify Eligible Training Provider]
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[Step 3: Draft Training Plan & Submit Portal Application During Cycle]
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[Step 4: LEO Scoring & Formal Grant Award Announcement]
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[Step 5: Execute Training & Submit Invoices for State Reimbursement]

Key Application Windows

• Fall Cycle (Cycle 1): Opens typically in October or November, funding training initiatives running through the following calendar year.
• Spring Cycle (Cycle 2): Opens in April or May, utilizing leftover state budget allocations for targeted second-half training programs.

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5. Alternative Support for Individual Workers

For individual Michigan residents who want to break into the skilled trades but whose employers do not sponsor them, the state provides alternative avenues:

• WIOA Individual Training Accounts (ITAs): Under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, displaced or low-income workers can receive up to $5,000 to $10,000 in direct tuition vouchers at Michigan Works! service centers for approved technical training.
• Michigan Reconnect: Covers 100% in-district tuition for adults 21+ at all 28 community colleges for technical certificates and associate degrees.
• Union Apprenticeship Sponsorships: Many building trades unions (IBEW, UA Plumbers, Ironworkers) operate tuition-free, “earn-while-you-learn” apprenticeship pipelines where employers pay wages while sponsoring 100% of schooling.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Going PRO Talent Fund in Michigan?

The Going PRO Talent Fund is a competitive workforce development grant program created by the State of Michigan and administered by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) alongside regional Michigan Works! agencies. The fund awards direct cash reimbursement grants to Michigan employers to assist in training, developing, and upskilling current and newly hired workers.

How much grant funding can a Michigan employer receive per worker?

Employers can receive up to $2,000 per employee for short-term classroom training resulting in an industry-recognized credential, and up to $3,500 per registered apprentice in a U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) registered apprenticeship program. An additional $500 incentive is available for hiring veterans or individuals from targeted underserved populations.

Can individual workers apply directly for the Going PRO Talent Fund?

No. Individual workers cannot apply directly to the state for Going PRO funds. Applications must be submitted by eligible Michigan employers through their regional Michigan Works! agency. However, workers can contact their local Michigan Works! American Job Center to access individual training accounts (ITAs) and trade subsidies under WIOA.

What industries are prioritized for Going PRO grants in Michigan?

While all commercial industries are eligible, the state prioritizes applications in high-demand, high-growth sectors critical to Michigan’s economy: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction and Building Trades, Information Technology, Healthcare, Energy, and Mobility/Automotive Engineering.

When are the application windows for Going PRO funding?

LEO typically opens two competitive application cycles per fiscal year: Cycle 1 opens in the late fall (usually October/November) for winter training start dates, and Cycle 2 opens in the late spring (typically April/May) for summer and autumn training projects.