The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund), formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund, makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.

The SEMCA Michigan Works! Business Solutions team conduct fact-finding sessions with employers to assess their talent skill gaps, suitable training providers and availability of federal funding sources. The Business Solutions staff can then determine whether Talent Fund awards would be appropriate to help close the skills gap. During the application period Michigan Works! Agencies submit Talent Fund applications to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) on behalf of their partnering employer. 

For more information about the Talent Fund, review the following:

• Program Overview
• Fact Sheet
• Employer Guide Fiscal Year 2021
• Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQs) Fiscal Year 2021
• Employers Online Application Guide 
• Employers Online Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (updates coming soon)