What ’ s Happening
Work in Michigan Manufacturing
24 MiMfg Magazine September 2018
@
MFG
What ’ s Happening
Work in Michigan Manufacturing
MMA and Governor Breathe New Life into Popular Skilled Trades Funding Program
Thanks to a legislative partnership between MMA , Senator Ken Horn ( R- Frankenmuth ) and the Snyder Administration , the highly popular Skilled Trades Training Fund ( STTF ) has been given a new lease on life and a new identity — Going PRO Talent Fund ! Governor Snyder signed MMA-championed legislation into law , which codifies the popular talent funding program , ensuring manufacturers continued longterm access .
“ The Going Pro Talent Fund , formerly the Skilled Trades Training Fund ( STTF ), has been a vital funding source for manufacturers by allowing Michigan companies to leverage nearly $ 1 billion toward their workforce ,” Delaney McKinley , MMA senior director of government affairs and membership , said . “ As Michigan enjoys its lowest unemployment rate in nearly two decades , skilled talent is a scarce resource . Michigan ’ s manufacturers commend Senator Ken Horn , Governor Rick Snyder and the Michigan Workforce Development Agency for their leadership in ensuring this program continues to generate public-private partnerships to design training models that adapt in real time with changing employer demand .”
Got Good News ? Send your photos , press releases and good news to MMA ’ s Brett Gerrish at gerrish @ mimfg . org .
MMA ’ s Delaney McKinley joins Governor Snyder , Senator Ken Horn , and others for the official signing of the Going PRO Talent Fund legislation , securing manufacturers continued access to talent-related funding .
“ Changing the name to the Going PRO Talent Fund reflects the broad nature of training and further promotes the significance of our professional trades ,” Governor Snyder said . “ The collaborative nature of this program is a large part of what has made it so successful — employers work with their local education , economic development and Michigan Works ! partners to provide demand-driven training that addresses critical talent shortages . This great program is at the heart of what the Marshall Plan for Talent is all about .”
The bill , Public Act 260 of 2018 , also expands the timeline for training to be completed ; reducing one of the business community ’ s chief concerns . While training under the STTF generally had to be completed in the first half of the calendar year , training under the Going PRO banner can occur within a year of the award . It also ensures prior year investments won ’ t lapse at the end of a fiscal year , but instead stay with the program .
“ The Skilled Trades Training Fund has been a highly successful program that gives workers additional skills to advance their careers ,” Horn said . “ I introduced Senate Bill 946 to bring certainty to the program and ensure great jobs will be available in the future . The legislation also gives flexibility to employers to complete training for valuable employees . Our state is rooted in manufacturing and skilled trades and programs like this are working to put Michigan back on the map .” The Talent Investment Agency ( TIA ) grants the funds to employers through local Michigan Works ! agencies ( MWAs ). MWA Business Services staff conduct fact-finding sessions with employers to assess their talent skill gaps , suitable training providers and availability of federal funding sources . The application period for the Fiscal Year 2019 grants opened on Wednesday , 9 / 12 / 18 and will close on Wednesday , 10 / 3 / 18 . Search “ Going PRO ” on mimfg . org for detailed resources , a list of MWA contacts and more . Learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund — including how to get your share on page 9 .