MI · Apprenticeship

Michigan Apprenticeship Tax Credits and Employer Incentives Explained

Michigan supports employers who sponsor USDOL Registered Apprenticeships through the Going PRO Talent Fund, which reimburses up to $3,500 per apprentice per year, and through State Apprenticeship Expansion funding that partly reimburses sponsors' training costs. Local Michigan Works! agencies have Apprenticeship Success Coordinators who help set up programs. The Independent Going PRO window was closed as of September 2026. No Michigan state tax credit for apprentices was found.

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State pre-filled: MI
Program type pre-filled: apprenticeship_grant

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Register the apprenticeship with USDOL or join an existing sponsor
2
Contact your Michigan Works! Apprenticeship Success Coordinator
3
Apply for Going PRO or expansion funds through the agency
4
Train, document, and claim reimbursement

3 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Michigan money comes from.

Run by LEO Workforce Development, State Apprenticeship Expansion team, with local Michigan Works! agencies. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Going PRO Talent Fund: Registered Apprenticeship training

Up to $3,500 per apprentice per year

INDEPENDENT WINDOW CLOSED; COLLABORATIVE TRACK OPEN

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of related instruction and on-the-job training costs for USDOL Registered Apprentices.

HOW MUCH

Up to $3,500 per apprentice for each year the apprentice is on the training plan, through program completion.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, by reimbursement through the Michigan Works! agency.

WHO QUALIFIES

Private for-profit or non-profit employer with a physical work location in Michigan
Current with all state tax obligations
Trainees are permanent, full-time employees, 18 or older, working primarily in Michigan
Training must lead to an industry-recognized credential and finish within one year of the award
Apprenticeship must be USDOL Registered; licensed trades without registration do not count

Before you start: Yes. Training before the effective award date is not reimbursed.

State Apprenticeship Expansion funding (through Michigan Works! and LEO-WD)

Partial reimbursement of training costs

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Partial reimbursement of apprenticeship training costs.

HOW MUCH

Not published statewide. Ask your Apprenticeship Success Coordinator.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Eligible sponsors get partial reimbursement of training costs; apprentices get limited supportive services. Terms are set by the agency awarded the grant.

WHO QUALIFIES

Registered Apprenticeship sponsor
Eligibility rules vary by grantee

Before you start: Ask the coordinator before you spend.

WIOA OJT for Registered Apprenticeship sponsors

Up to 50% of OJT wages

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

OJT wage reimbursement for a WIOA-eligible apprentice, typically up to 50%.

HOW MUCH

Typically up to 50% of the wage rate; up to 75% in limited documented cases.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer or sponsor, as reimbursement of part of wages during OJT.

WHO QUALIFIES

WIOA-eligible participant approved by the local board

Before you start: Yes. Contract first.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Oakland County Michigan Works!

Advertises more than $500,000 for apprenticeship program costs, with eligibility requirements. Confirm current funds.

SOURCE: OAKLANDCOUNTYMI.GOV

AVOID THESE

What gets Michigan Apprenticeship claims denied.

A licensed trade is not the same as a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship.
SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV
Training before the award date is not reimbursed.
SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV
Employers cannot apply to Going PRO directly; the agency submits it.
SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Michigan Apprenticeship questions.

How much does Going PRO pay per apprentice?

Up to $3,500 per apprentice for each year on the training plan, through completion. The Independent window was closed as of September 2026.

SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

Is there a Michigan tax credit for hiring apprentices?

None was found on official Michigan pages. Federal WOTC lapsed for people starting work after December 31, 2025, unless Congress renews it.

SOURCE: IRS.GOV

Who helps me start a program?

Local Michigan Works! agencies have Apprenticeship Success Coordinators, and LEO-WD connects sponsors with them.

SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

How big is apprenticeship in Michigan?

More than 800 active programs and more than 24,000 active apprentices, per the 2026 state update.

SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

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