Free Money Alert: $16M in State Grants Up for Grabs for Michigan Manufacturers

Going PRO Talent Fund: $16 Million to Power Michigan’s Manufacturing Comeback

Remember when “training” meant a two-minute safety video and someone’s cousin giving you a crash course on the forklift? Those days are as extinct as flip phones—thanks to Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund. In Fiscal Year 2025 Cycle 2, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) just dropped $16 million into the pockets of 297 businesses statewide to level up nearly 8,000 employees through real, industry-recognized training programs.

Why Manufacturing Leaders Should Care

If you’re running a large-scale manufacturing operation, you know your biggest asset isn’t your shiny robots or CNC machines—it’s your people. And right now, there’s never been a better time to tap into state grants that make training almost free. Here’s the skinny:

Scale and Diversity: Of those 297 businesses, 86% are small-to-mid-sized, proving that both Main Street fabricators and big OEM suppliers can play. And training spans a range of sectors—advanced manufacturing, food production, clean energy, even healthcare equipment.

Immediate ROI: Businesses will upskill 4,691 current employees and onboard 3,227 new hires (including 1,788 apprentices!). Workers typically pocket a 7.2% bump in their hourly wage post-training—so happier, more skilled staff and a healthier bottom line, anyone?

Apprenticeship Power: Michigan ranks 4th nationally for active registered apprenticeships, with over 22,000 participants across 850 programs. That’s a ready pipeline of talent who know your tools, processes, and—critically—your culture.

More Than Just Free Money
What separates a flash-in-the-pan grant from a real workforce strategy? Customization and sustainability. Going PRO grants are designed in partnership with local Michigan Works! agencies, so training isn’t a one-size-fits-all slide deck. It’s tailored classroom instruction, on-the-job coaching, or credentials that matter in your shop.

“We connect employers to funding that ensures Detroiters can walk the path to success,” says Dana Williams of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. The payoff? Reduced turnover, higher productivity, and a reputation as an employer that invests in people—critical when every plant manager is competing for the same handful of welders and machinists.

Big Picture: Building Michigan’s Middle Class
Since 2014, Going PRO has trained 225,000 workers and supported 7,400 businesses. But these aren’t just stats—they’re real people getting promoted from grunt work to skilled technician, from unsteady temps to registered apprentices with credentials that travel across industries. Governor Whitmer’s FY 2026 budget even recommends $54.8 million more, signaling that Lansing sees talent pipelines as essential infrastructure. The Michigan Going PRO Talent Fund opened up submissions in March and will remain open until funds are exhausted. Click here to learn more and apply for your business!

Workers clustered around a CNC machine as an instructor demonstrates controls on a tablet.

Action Steps for Manufacturing Execs

Audit Your Skills Gaps
Partner with your local Michigan Works! Service Center. Identify your biggest choke points—robotics programming? PLC troubleshooting? CNC maintenance?

Map Out Training Paths
Choose programs that align with your growth plans: short-term certificates for quick wins, apprenticeships for deeper skill sets.

Leverage the Grant
Apply for Cycle 3 (watch Michigan.gov/TalentFund for deadlines) and secure up to 75% of training costs covered.

Showcase Success
Promote your investment in people—both internally and externally. It’s a recruiting magnet and a PR win.

At the end of the day, free money is great—unless it just sits in an email inbox. By proactively designing training that matches your production needs, you’ll turn that $16 million into a ramped-up workforce, lower turnover, and a stronger Michigan manufacturing ecosystem.

Struggling to Find Skilled Workers in Michigan? Here’s How to Fix It:

16-x-9-image-of-a-factory-in-an-outdoor-setting-with-nothing-but-empty-fields-and money is raining down on the factory

In Michigan’s manufacturing world, one thing is clear: skilled workers are the lifeblood of the industry. Yet, businesses across the state are struggling to find talent that matches their needs. Enter the Going PRO Talent Fund—a program designed to help employers not just survive, but thrive, by filling these skill gaps with purpose and precision.

The Skills Gap Crisis
Michigan is poised to see over 520,000 jobs in the professional trades by 2030, yet the talent pool isn’t keeping pace. Many businesses are forced to navigate this ever-widening gap, leaving their productivity and innovation in limbo. Employers need workers who can hit the ground running, equipped with industry-recognized credentials and in-demand skills.

And while the hunt for skilled talent can feel like chasing a unicorn, the Going PRO Talent Fund offers a lifeline.

What is the Going PRO Talent Fund?
Since 2014, the Going PRO Talent Fund has been the state’s secret weapon for workforce development. By connecting businesses with funding to train employees, the program addresses both immediate and long-term needs.

For 2025, the program awarded $42.7 million to nearly 700 businesses, impacting over 22,000 workers statewide.
Training includes classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and registered apprenticeship programs—all leading to transferable, industry-recognized credentials. This isn’t just about filling vacancies; it’s about future-proofing your workforce. The program helps employers upskill current employees, reskill workers for new roles, and onboard new hires effectively.

Why Businesses Should Care
Michigan businesses can no longer afford to view workforce development as optional. The reality is simple: without skilled workers, there’s no innovation, no growth, and no competitive edge. The Going PRO Talent Fund is designed to bridge this gap by:

Reducing Costs: With the average training cost per employee at $1,412, this program makes upskilling affordable.
Tailored Solutions: Employers define their training needs and work with local Michigan Works! Agencies to develop strategic plans.

Sustainability: Training leads to industry-recognized credentials, ensuring employees remain valuable long-term assets.
Success Stories Across Michigan

From Detroit manufacturers to small businesses in rural areas, employers are seeing real results. Dana Williams, CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, puts it best:

“The Going PRO Talent Fund transforms opportunities into success stories for both Michigan workers and businesses.”

Take the example of a manufacturing firm struggling to integrate advanced automation systems. With Going PRO funding, they trained their existing workforce, ensuring smooth operations and reducing reliance on external specialists.

How to Apply for 2025 Grants
Want in? You’re not alone. The Going PRO Talent Fund’s next application window opens in Spring 2025, so now’s the time to start preparing.

Here’s how:
•Identify Needs: Work with your team to pinpoint skill gaps and training priorities.
•Partner with Michigan Works!: These agencies help craft training strategies and ensure your application hits all the right notes.
•Submit Your Application: Watch for updates at Michigan.gov/TalentFund and make sure to meet all deadlines.

A Long-Term Vision
The Going PRO Talent Fund isn’t just a short-term fix—it’s an investment in Michigan’s future. By empowering businesses to build their workforce, the program ensures long-term economic growth and stability for all.

In a state where manufacturing drives progress, programs like Going PRO offer hope, strategy, and opportunity. Whether you’re struggling to find skilled workers or simply want to stay ahead, this fund can help you turn workforce challenges into competitive advantages.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make “skilled worker shortage” a phrase of the past.