The Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF) creates jobs and new opportunities through competitive training grants for employers like you! Winners receive funds to hire talent and upskill current employees, with customized training solutions to meet the needs of your small business.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has awarded $42.7 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants to 697 businesses across the state. Businesses will use the funding to train 8,089 new hires and 14,692 current employees. Since its launch in 2014, the Going PRO Talent Fund has provided workforce development opportunities by awarding 7,480 grants to support more than 220,000 Michigan workers.
Applications for the Employer-Led Collaboratives opened on Monday, March 24, 2025, and will remain open until funding has been exhausted. Applications for Cycle 2 of Fiscal Year 2025 Going PRO Talent Fund will open on Monday, April 14, 2025, and will close on at 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday, May 2, 2025.
The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent 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 Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Workforce Development awards funds to employers through Michigan’s workforce system, commonly known as Michigan Works! Agencies (MWA). MWA Business Services staff conduct fact-finding sessions with employers to assess their talent skill gaps, suitable training providers, and availability of federal funding sources. The MWA Business Services staff then determines whether Talent Fund awards are appropriate to help close the skills gap, and grant employers access to a convenient online application submission process.
Interested employers should contact their local Michigan Works! Talent Fund Key Contact. Click here for more information.