GRAND RAPIDS – The Going PRO Talent Fund is a Michigan government program that manufacturers have leveraged to equip workers with the skills they need in the Industry 4.0 landscape.

The program, which received $40 million in the current state budget, awards grants to manufacturers and other employers throughout the state that they can use for workforce training initiatives, including training new hires and up-skilling existing employees. Last year, the state handed out $39.5 million to 1,021 employers as part of Going PRO.

“There is definitely a focus on upskilling existing workers,” said Amy Lebednick, business solutions director for West Michigan Works!. “That’s really why grants that support training funds are so important right now. (Manufacturers) have the opportunity to customize the training they need in order to not increase but simply maintain business capacity.”

Area economic and workforce development organizations have been beating the drum for Going PRO over the years, and West Michigan has traditionally taken a generous slice of the funds.

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