MI · State Grant

Michigan State Training Grants for Employers

Michigan's state training grant for employers is the Going PRO Talent Fund. Employers apply through a local Michigan Works! agency, and LEO-WD awards up to $2,000 per person for classroom, customized or new-hire OJT training, and $3,500 per Registered Apprentice. As of September 2026, the Independent windows had closed (Cycle 2 closed April 24, 2026), while collaborative applications were open until funds run out. The state also lets community colleges run the New Jobs Training Program.

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

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Contact your local Michigan Works! Talent Fund key contact
2
Complete fact-finding with the agency
3
Agency submits your application to LEO-WD
4
Train after the award date, then claim reimbursement

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Michigan money comes from.

Run by Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD), with applications through your local Michigan Works! agency. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Going PRO Talent Fund

Up to $2,000 per person

INDEPENDENT WINDOW CLOSED; COLLABORATIVE TRACK OPEN

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of training costs for current and new employees, new-hire OJT and Registered Apprenticeship training.

HOW MUCH

Up to $2,000 per person; $3,500 per Registered Apprentice per year; $250,000 per employer site per year (Independent and collaborative combined). Employer must also provide cash or in-kind contribution.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, by reimbursement after training and documentation.

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

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

Michigan New Jobs Training Program (community colleges)

Withholding on new jobs pays for training

OPEN THROUGH 2033, VIA COLLEGES

WHAT YOU GET

Training for workers in new jobs, paid from diverted withholding on those jobs.

HOW MUCH

Set in each agreement. 15% administrative fee to the college.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The community college, paid from withholding tax on new jobs. The employer receives training, not cash.

WHO QUALIFIES

Employer creating net new full-time jobs paying at least the county ALICE rate

Before you start: Yes. Agreement with the college first.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Michigan Works! agencies (all regions)

Each agency screens employers and submits the application, so your agency decides whether a Talent Fund award fits before it goes to LEO-WD.

SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

AVOID THESE

What gets Michigan State Grant claims denied.

Training that starts before the award date is not reimbursed.
SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV
The fund cannot be used to replace a tuition reimbursement benefit you already offer.
SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV
Non-apprentice OJT is for new hires only; OJT for current employees is ineligible unless part of a Registered Apprenticeship.
SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV
Employers must be private, current on state taxes, with a Michigan work location.
SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Michigan State Grant questions.

Is the Going PRO Talent Fund open now?

As of September 2026 no Independent window was listed. Cycle 2 closed April 24, 2026, and awards were announced July 14, 2026. Collaborative applications opened July 7, 2026 and stay open until funds run out.

SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

Who can apply?

Private for-profit and non-profit employers with a Michigan work location, current on state taxes. Government employers are not eligible.

SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

Do I have to put up my own money?

Employers are expected to provide a cash or in-kind contribution in support of the training project.

SOURCE: MICHIGAN.GOV

How long does training have to take?

Training must finish within one year of the award, and single trainings should not exceed six months.

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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