LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ)—$1.6 million is coming to Upper Peninsula businesses to help with workforce employment training. 700 grants have been announced as part of 2025 round one funding for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunities (LEO) Going PRO Talent Fund, totaling over $40 million statewide.
LEO’s Deputy Director of Employment and Training, Stephanie Beckhorn said they worked closely with Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! to secure 41 of those grants for businesses in the U.P. in industries ranging from health care to construction, and hospitality. The dollars help with everything from on-the-job, to classroom training and registered apprenticeships. Beckhorn said the money is made to be used to fit the employment training needs of the business, like existing staff training, or to bring in new employees.
LEO estimates the grants will train over 1,000 employees in the U.P., and 22,000 statewide.
“Michigan will improve its competitiveness through our educated workforce. 22,000 employees who are participating in the Going PRO Talent Fund are getting the education and skills to make Michigan more competitive.” Beckhorn said. “We are really strategic and intentional about investing these dollars to help employees get back into the workforce. That will help our communities that will help the businesses expand. it will bring new investment to Michigan.”
The Going PRO Talent Fund was launched back in 2014 to assist employers in training, developing, and retaining current and newly hired employees. From 2005 to 2018, Michigan was in the bottom 5 states when it comes to workforce participation. Beckhorn said these grants help to improve those numbers and get more Michiganders into high-demand jobs while earning industry-recognized credentials.
