Chris Holman welcomes Edythe Copeland, CEO, CAMW!, Lansing, MI, into the studio for CAMW!'s focus topic for August: providing insight to the Going PRO Talent Fund and information sessions that CAMW! is hosting for employers in the near future.
To hear Edee and Chris discuss Going PRO Talent Fund Sessions click play on the PodCast shared below.
One thing to note -- one (NOW Two) of the sessions has already sold out (meaning it is full) so interested employers should register as soon as possible! In Chris and Edee's discussion find out about:
What is the Going PRO Talent Fund?
The Going PRO Talent Fund provides competitive awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current employees. This past year, 35 Lansing-area businesses received more than $1.5 million through the fund. They used the grants for classroom and customized training, on-the-job training and U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships. This latest cycle wrapped up in June, and we’re still celebrating their successes.
What role does CAMW! play with the Going PRO Talent Fund?
The Going PRO funds are awarded to employers through Michigan Works! agencies. Our Business Services Team at Capital Area Michigan Works! meets and works with employers to assess their skill gaps, training providers and availability of federal funding sources. The BST then determines whether the talent fund awards are appropriate to help close the skills gap.
What if businesses want to learn more about the talent fund?
Every year, our Businesses Services Team at CAMW! hosts a series of information sessions for Lansing-area businesses, economic development agencies and education partners facing critical issues including talent gaps, productivity dips and employee retention. The information sessions will provide an overview of the talent fund for fiscal year 2020, including new rules, the application process and deadlines.
The information sessions will be held at a variety of locations throughout the region and last two hours or less, running mid-August through late September.
Dates, times and locations for August are on our Facebook page. Interested companies can also contact Teri Sand at tsand@camw.net or 517-492-5516.
Who do you recommend attend one of these sessions?
We recommend any local company that is considering applying should attend one of the sessions at CAMW!. In the past, most of the attendees have been human resources staff or specifically people whose primary role oversaw training at their company. We also recommend people with accounting and/or finance responsibilities attend as well.
I can’t stress enough – this is one program you don’t want to miss out on for the future of your employees, your business and our workforce.
How do businesses register for one of the information sessions?
Contact Teri Sand, our Business Services Team leader, (517) 492-5516 or at tsand@camw.net. We hope to see you — or a representative from your business — there!
