How Michigan Employers Are Winning with the Going Pro Talent Fund and How You Can Too

At Frontline Training Solutions, we believe that when employers invest in their people, everyone wins —businesses grow, teams thrive, and Michigan’s workforce becomes stronger. One of the most powerful tools helping employers in our state make that investment is the Going Pro Talent Fund.

If you are a Michigan-based business looking to upskill your team, boost retention, or close skill gaps, this is your moment. The Going Pro Talent Fund provides a critical opportunity to do all that and more with financial support from the state. Frontline is proud to offer a robust catalog of training programs designed specifically to help you take full advantage of this funding.

In this blog, we will walk through:

• What the Going Pro Talent Fund is
• Why it matters for your business
• What training programs are eligible through Frontline
• How to apply through your local Michigan Works! agency
• Actionable tips to build a strong application

What is the Going Pro Talent Fund?

The Going Pro Talent Fund, administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), is a grant program that awards funding to Michigan employers for training, developing, and retaining current and new employees. The fund was created to help employers close skill gaps and strengthen the talent pipeline across the state.

In 2024 alone, the State of Michigan awarded over 47 million dollars to support more than 1,100 employers and train more than 20,000 workers. That is a clear signal: the state is committed to equipping Michigan’s workforce for the future.

Funding is awarded through a competitive application process, and employers must work through their local Michigan Works! Agency – in our region, that is West Michigan Works!.

Why Should Employers Care?

Here is why the Going Pro Talent Fund is such a game changer for Michigan businesses:

• It offsets the cost of professional development. Employers can receive up to 2,000 dollars per employee for short-term classroom or customized training and up to 3,500 dollars for registered apprenticeships.
• It supports recruitment and retention. Offering skills training makes your workplace more attractive to new hires while keeping your current workforce engaged.
• It builds a future-ready workforce
• . As experienced workers retire and technology continues to evolve, organizations need a workforce that can adapt and grow. The Going Pro Talent Fund helps bridge that gap.

Whether you are in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, or professional services, there is a strong business case for tapping into this fund.

Frontline Training Solutions: Your Going Pro Talent Fund Training Partner

At Frontline Training Solutions, we offer a comprehensive suite of professional development programs that are have been approved in the past for Going Pro Talent Fund reimbursement. These courses are designed to address today’s workforce challenges, from developing frontline supervisors to enhancing technical skills and leadership capabilities.

Here are our Going Pro Talent Fund eligible trainings:

Leadership and Management Training

• Supervisor Boot Camp: Provides practical tools and techniques for frontline managers to excel in their roles.
• Leadership Foundations: Equips new and aspiring leaders with essential skills and strategies for effective leadership.
• Purpose Driven Leadership Training: Focuses on building a positive workplace culture and self-reflective leadership practices.
• Developing Coaching Leaders: Helps leaders transition from managing to coaching, fostering team development.
• Leadership Alignment for Operational Excellence: Aligns leadership at all levels to drive operational success.
• Frontline Human Resources Manager: Prepares HR professionals for strategic roles within their organizations.
• Strategic Human Resources Leadership: Develops HR leaders to drive organizational growth and change.

Project Management Training

• Project Management Essentials: Teaches effective project management techniques to ensure timely and budget-conscious project completion.

DOL Apprenticeship Management Program

• We assist businesses in establishing and managing Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs, providing structured on-the-job training combined with technical instruction.

Technical Manufacturing Skills Training

• Machining Industry Essentials
• CNC Milling and Turning Basics
• Introduction to Stamping Die Parts and Components
• Stamping Die Process Troubleshooting
• Plastic Mold Parts and Components
• Plastic Molding Process Troubleshooting
• Introduction to Welding
• Introduction to Robotics Programming and Troubleshooting
• Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Concepts
• Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Troubleshooting
• Blueprint Reading
• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GDandT)

These programs provide expert-led instruction in key manufacturing processes to enhance operational efficiency.

Quality Systems and Process Improvement Training

• Lean Essentials
• Problem Solving
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Design and Process
• Training Enhancement and Mentoring System (TEaMS)
• Six Sigma
• Manufacturing Quality Essentials

Our quality and process improvement trainings help teams implement Lean strategies, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.

Customized Training Programs

Recognizing that each business has unique training needs, we offer customized training programs tailored to your organization’s goals. These programs can happen onsite or at our training center and can be delivered in-person, or virtually, ensuring flexibility and relevance.

By partnering with Frontline Training Solutions, you can leverage the Going Pro Talent Fund to invest in your team’s development, driving growth and success within your organization.

How to Apply for the Going Pro Talent Fund through West Michigan Works

The process is straightforward, but planning ahead is essential. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Step 1: Connect with West Michigan Works!

Start by getting in touch with your Michigan Works! Business Solutions Representative (BSR). They will walk you through the process and help assess your eligibility.

• Step 2: Identify Skill Gaps

Work with your team and your BSR to assess where training is needed. Do your leaders struggle with accountability? Are your supervisors equipped to manage conflict? Use this data to build your training plan.

• Step 3: Select a Training Provider

Choose a Going Pro Talent Fund training partner like Frontline Training Solutions. Our team will help you select the right training program based on your goals and workforce and provide the necessary supporting documents for your application.

• Step 4: Submit an Application

Your Michigan Works! Contact will submit the application on your behalf using the state’s online portal. You will need to provide:

• A detailed training plan
• Job titles and wages
• Outcome expectations (such as certifications, promotions, skills gained)
• Applications are reviewed by LEO, and awards are announced based on funding availability and application strength.
• Step 5: Implement and Report

Once awarded, you will carry out the training and submit documentation showing completion. Our team will support you every step of the way.

Making the Business Case for the Going Pro Talent Fund

If you are still on the fence about applying, consider these statistics from LEO:

• 89 percent of employers reported measurable skill gains from Going Pro Talent Fund-funded training.
• 92 percent of employees trained through the fund remained employed six months later.
• Employers that invest in training see a 24 percent higher profit margin than those that do not (source: Association for Talent Development).

In today’s competitive labor market, investing in training is not just nice-to-have, it is a necessity. The Going Pro Talent Fund helps make that investment more accessible.

See It in Action: Real Results from Employers Like You

Many of our clients have used the Going Pro Talent Fund to train their teams through our leadership and operational excellence programs. The results speak for themselves:

“We used Going Pro Talent Fund funding to send eight of our frontline supervisors through the Professional Supervisor training at Frontline. Not only did we see improved communication and engagement, but we also had two promotions within six months of completion.”

HR Manager, West Michigan Manufacturing Company

Whether you are training new hires or developing high-potential employees into future leaders, our programs are structured for real-world results.

Explore Our Free Webinars

We have covered the Going Pro Talent Fund and related topics in several of our past webinars. If you are looking to get buy-in from leadership or want a deeper dive, check these out:

• Going Pro 2023
• Maximizing the Return on Your Training Investments
• Making the Shift: What New Leaders Need to Know
• Building a Stronger Culture

Let’s Build the Workforce of Tomorrow — Together

At Frontline Training Solutions, we are proud to partner with Michigan employers to unlock the full potential of their teams. The Going Pro Talent Fund is one of the most effective ways to do just that, and we are here to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to get started?

Explore our eligible trainings or contact our team today to build your training plan.

Together, we can create thriving organizations where everyone matters and where every investment in your people brings measurable results.