LANSING – More than 800 businesses, educators and community organizations have committed to pursuing Marshall Plan for Talent grants, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Thursday. These entities have applied to be considered for the first round of Innovation Grants under the $100 million Marshall Plan for Talent investment.
The first step in the Marshall Plan for Talent Innovation Grant application process – concept summary submissions – closed Sept. 19, generating 88 submissions requesting nearly $90 million in funding. The submission revolves around creating or expanding innovative programs that will see employers and educators engaged in transformative partnerships to prepare students for the realities of the 21st century economy.
“It is clear that businesses, organizations and community leaders understand how critically important preparing our students to succeed in the future economy is to our state,” Snyder said. “I appreciate the efforts of all those involved in these partnerships and commend them for taking a leadership role in the effort to revolutionize the way Michigan develops talent for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Leaders from the automotive, technology and Professional Trades sectors were among those to partner with educational institutions and community organizations.
“This is only the beginning, but Michigan’s future is looking bright,” Chief Deputy Director of the Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Jeremy Hendges said. “With more than 800 organizations willing to partner to revolutionize Michigan’s dated talent development and education system, it shows we are well on our way to developing a robust pipeline of talent for the more than 811,000 high-demand, high-wage career openings through 2024. It also shows we have innovators chomping at the bit to get to work.”
The next step in the application process, which opens Oct. 9, is for those groups approved to move forward submitting a Talent Agreement. These agreements will detail how each organization will contribute to the success of students. It also includes identifying the high-demand, high-wage careers students will be prepared in.
“The number of applicants and total number of participating organizations shows a state ready and willing to change and innovate,” Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles said. “We’re excited to review these applications and kick off the next step in the application process, so we can support those districts ready to engage in out-of-the box thinking and work to support our efforts to make Michigan a top 10 education state.”
State leaders said they expect to announce first-round awardees in December.
There will be additional rounds of the application process in 2019 for those organizations that needed additional time to prepare successful and innovative solutions to closing the state’s talent gap.
To learn more, visit michigan.gov/marshallplan.
