West Michigan Works! announced that 100 employers across the region have been awarded $6,417,692.49 in Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF) training dollars for Cycle 1 2026. This is 26% of the statewide allocation and 22% of the number of total awards.
The grants will help train, develop and retain more than 2,968 workers, including 880 new hires, 778 apprentices, and 1,310 incumbent workers. An additional nine businesses have pending awards totaling $767,535.
The awards will provide critical training resources across various industries, including agribusiness, healthcare, manufacturing and construction, which also includes mobility, energy and infrastructure.
In total, 55 manufacturing companies received awards, alongside 31 construction firms, 11 healthcare organizations, one tech company, and two hospitality businesses.
Geographically, the awards impact businesses across the region, with Kent County having 35 recipients, followed by Ottawa County with 26. Allegan County has 11, while Muskegon, Ionia and Montcalm counties each have four businesses that are benefiting. Additionally,16 awardees represent businesses with site locations both inside and outside of our seven-county region who will work with West Michigan Works! for all locations awarded.
More than 840 companies expressed interest in the GPTF. West Michigan Works! business solutions representatives worked directly with employers to submit 336 individual applications on their behalf.
“We are proud to support the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund, which brings crucial training dollars to help businesses across West Michigan invest in their workforce, equipping employees with the skills to grow their careers and achieve long-term success,” said Jacob Maas, chief executive officer, West Michigan Works!. “The Going PRO Talent Fund empowers both new hires and current employees to build in-demand skills, while helping employers of all sizes remain competitive through skilled trades, technical skills, and leadership training.”
One of the organizations benefiting from a 2024 award is MOKA Corporation, a Muskegon-based nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent and Allegan counties.
Through a Going PRO Talent Fund award and a partnership with Davenport University, MOKA team members enrolled both new and experienced supervisors in the Certificate of Management program to build practical leadership skills and reduce turnover. The course provided essential tools for managing people, including strategies for communication, conflict resolution, motivation, and team building.
When Lowanda Hogg was promoted to the role of Home Supervisor at MOKA’s Emma Court home, she quickly realized that leadership would demand more than just a strong work ethic; it would require new skills and fresh tools. Like many employees promoted from within, Hogg saw the Certificate of Management course as an opportunity to build confidence and become a more effective team leader.
The training helped her approach challenges collaboratively and empowered her team, leading to stronger communication and accountability across shifts.
One tool that stood out to Lowanda was the Fishbone Method, which she used to resolve an ongoing team conflict over cleaning duties. By involving the team in a root-cause analysis, she helped them co-create a new schedule and accountability system.
“Instead of just hitting them with policy, I wanted to get their input and work through it together,” Hogg said. “They talk to each other now across shifts. They hold each other accountable. It’s made my job lighter and they love it.”
MOKA Supervisor of Community Supports, Jenny Shumard, enrolled in the same cohort, driven by a desire to grow in her role and better support her team. Shumard said learning the DiSC behavioral profile helped her better understand team communication styles.
“It’s important to learn how people think and communicate outside of yourself,” she said. “That’s a huge part of working with people.”
The Going PRO Talent Fund provides competitive awards to employers to support training, development, and retention of current and newly hired employees. Training must lead to a transferrable or industry-recognized credential and take place between January 1 and December 31, 2026.
Cycle 2 of the 2026 GPTF is expected to open in spring 2026. Employers interested in applying are encouraged to work with a Business Solutions Representative at West Michigan Works!. More information is available at our dedicated Going PRO Talent Fund page below.
