22 MiMfg Magazine January / February 2023
Workforce Solutions
Maximize the Going PRO Talent Fund Application with an Industry-Led Collaborative
You ’ re probably familiar with Michigan ’ s Going PRO Talent Fund . There have been dozens of articles , webinars and promo pieces from MMA and other organizations encouraging companies to take advantage of the $ 55 million in funding that ’ s available for training in 2023 .
Perhaps your company applied for and received funding in round one for trainings to take place sometime in 2023 . Or maybe you didn ’ t apply or didn ’ t get funded , and you ’ re planning to apply in round two in late spring . In any case , did you know there ’ s another opportunity to access Going PRO funds through an “ Industry-Led Collaborative ” ( ILC ) application ?
What is an ILC ?
An Industry-Led Collaborative brings together two or more employers — three or more preferred — to address a shared training need . These employers can be from different areas of the state , so an ILC could be formed , for example , with one employer in the Upper Peninsula , another in the Grand Rapids area and a third in the Thumb area . The key for an ILC is a shared training need . That shared need can even be met by different training providers in each region if there ’ s alignment in outcomes , objectives and competencies .
Let ’ s look at a hypothetical example . Four employers scattered around the state have a need for stainless steel TIG welding training . Three of the companies have local community colleges that offer relevant courses . The fourth has a nearby trade school that offers this training . Together , these companies could submit a Going PRO ILC funding application to address this specific training need .
Why Use an ILC ?
Given the above example , each company could just apply individually for Going PRO funding . So why use an ILC ?
There are plenty of good reasons to think about submitting an ILC funding application , not the least of which is that you can take advantage of an ILC in addition to being awarded Going PRO funding through an individual application .
Extended Application Window
The individual application rounds are highly competitive , and companies must submit their applications within a narrow window of opportunity ...
ILC Basics with Bill Rayl
Join MMA ’ s Bill Rayl and MMA industry members for a panel discussion on Monday , 2 / 13 / 23 , to learn how they ’ ve made an ILC work for their businesses , including :
• Benefits of partnering with other businesses for talent funding
• How to utilize the Going PRO Talent Fund to establish an ILC
• What training programs qualify
• Additional resources
miss the deadline and you ’ re out . ILCs have a separate application and scoring criteria , and applications can be submitted throughout the year ( until funding runs out ). So , if your company has a training need suddenly pop up after the normal individual Going PRO rounds have closed , an ILC might be worth pursuing if at least one other employer can be found that also needs the same training .
Strengthen Supply Chains
Another great use of ILCs is to reinforce and strengthen relationships within your supply chain . Bring your suppliers together for a shared leadership , operations , supply chain or other common training to achieve increased efficiencies and connectedness !
Pool Your Power
Register to learn more
ILCs are also a good option for small companies that don ’ t have enough individual trainees to make holding a specific or customized course worthwhile for a training provider from a cost perspective . By banding together , you make the training possible and likely bring down the cost per participant at the same time .