West Michigan employers will receive $9.5M in state funds to provide training opportunities for thousands

The Talent Investment Agency for the state of Michigan announced today its Going PRO Talent Fund (formerly Skilled Trade Training Fund) awards for FY 2019. Since 2013, the STTF has injected millions of dollars into the Michigan economy for short-term training in high-demand occupations.

This year, employers in the West Michigan region (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties) have been awarded $9.5 million in training funds. Statewide, the fund has awards of $29 million to 780 employers. West Michigan Works! will notify 223 employers that their applications are being funded in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $289,345.

Muskegon County received  $1,072,549.00 in 20 different awards. This translates to 860 total trainees and 293 anticipated new hires.

The totals for the West Michigan area which West Michigan Works! will oversee is $9,557,092.00 - 223 awards for 7,262 trainees and 2,408 anticipated new hires.

“The challenge facing West Michigan employers continues to be a shortage of workers that have the skills and qualifications needed to fill current and future high-demand positions,” said Amy Lebednick, director, Business Solutions for West Michigan Works!. “These funds provide critical support to our region’s employers, allowing them to remain competitive in their industry and in this economy.”