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Pontiac, Mich., Dec. 18, 2024 – Oakland County employers are set to boost their workforce with the help of more than $4.5 million
These funds will support the training of 2,006 current employees and 434 new hires, as well as the creation of 73 new registered apprenticeships during fiscal year 2025. An additional 282 existing apprentices will receive advanced training through the program.
“Oakland County recognizes the importance of a skilled workforce for our employers,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “That’s why we are committed to working with the state to help our businesses and their employees get the training they need to succeed and grow.”
Seventy-two Oakland County employers receiving grants this year including:
- Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital – West Bloomfield
- Earth Orbit Technologies – Pontiac
- Merlo Construction – Milford
- Forgotten Harvest – Oak Park
- SG Energy Solutions – Southfield
- Gabletek – Troy
- Lawrence Plastics – Clarkston
Additional funding will be available through the second cycle of Going PRO Talent Fund awards which will open in Spring 2025.
Since its launch in 2014, the Going PRO Talent Fund has distributed 7,480 grants statewide, helping more than 220,000 Michigan workers build critical skills for evolving industries. This year, 700 businesses across Michigan are receiving a total of $42.7 million in grants.
Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works!, emphasized the importance of these grants for the local economy. “We’re thrilled to see the Going PRO Talent Fund continue to provide substantial training support for thousands of workers and a growing number of apprentices in Oakland County. These efforts will help employees gain valuable certifications and advance their careers while strengthening businesses across our region.”
The Going PRO Talent Fund addresses emerging workforce needs by supporting a wide range of training initiatives, including classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships. The program not only aids new hires and apprentices but also helps existing employees gain new skills to adapt to technological advancements and industry trends.
According to LEO, the average cost to train an employee through this program is $1,412, making the grants a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to invest in their workforce.
These businesses, supported by Oakland County Michigan Works!, play an active role in identifying their training priorities and developing strategic plans to meet their workforce needs.
For more information about the Going PRO Talent Fund, click on Michigan.gov/TalentFund.
Oakland County Michigan Works! operates centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford, where they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information.
The centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking help with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.
Staff are available in-person or by virtual appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule an appointment, call 248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you. The centers are hosting several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found at OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.
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