Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! was just awarded nearly $2.2 million to fund training for 49 employers in the region. The money comes from the Skilled Trades Training Fund, a state-funded program designed to help employers develop the talent they need to compete and grow.
Senator Ken Horn is part of the state legislature that, together with Governor Snyder, appropriated nearly $29 million for the Skilled Trades Training Fund in 2018. A champion of talent development, Horn (pictured here with Kristen Wenzel, COO, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!) serves as chair of the Economic Development and International Investment Committee and is also on the Governor’s Talent Investment Board.
Earlier this fall, business services representatives from Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! worked side-by-side with 54 employers to help them compete for a portion of that funding.
“This is the second year in a row we have successfully helped employers in five counties benefit from millions of dollars in training to enhance talent, productivity and retention,” says Ed Oberski, chief executive officer for Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Although the name is “Skilled Trades Training Fund,” the scope of the training allowed is much broader, explains Ann Marie Batkoski. “Any company can apply for the grants and receive funds for training existing and new employees, as long as the training is for full-time employees and leads to a credential that is transferable and recognized by the industry.”
Employers awarded grant funds will use them for training in lean manufacturing, emergency medical technician (EMT) to paramedic training, as well as traditional skilled trades certification.
This year’s recipients include a wide range of employers who have built relationships with Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! for recruiting, hiring, and training services. Grants awarded range from $1,500 to $300,000:
Advanced Tex Screen Printing
AHB Tooling & Manufacturing
Amigo Mobility International
Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing
BGL Asset Services
Cambron Engineering
Cignys
Dayco Products
Dow Chemical Company
Duperon Corporation
Erie Custom Signs
Falcon RME
The Cobbler Shop
Freeland Steel Erectors
Fullerton Tool Company
GE Insulation
General Agency Company
Hausbeck Pickle
Hemlock Semiconductor
Ingersoll CM Systems
International Engineering & Manufacturing
J&T Tool and Die
J.E. Johnson
Johnson Carbide Products
JRB Personnel
Kapex Manufacturing
Endurance Carbide
Means Industries
Merrill Technologies Group
Michigan Agricultural Commodities
Michigan Sugar Company
Miller Mold
Mistequay Group
Mobile Medical Response
Modern Machine
Morley Companies
Nexteer Automotive
Northern Concrete Pipe
Powell Fabrication & Mfg
R&S Cutter Grind
Renosol Corp
Rock Products
RWC
Sugar Construction
Tannas Company — a division of The Savant Group
The Delfield Company – a division of Welbilt
Three Rivers Corporation
U.S. Graphite
York Repair
If you are an employer interested in applying for 2019 funds, please contact Kristen Wenzel at kristenw@michiganworks.com. If you work in human resources, please be sure to share this information with the owner of your company.
