Capitol News

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Workforce Development Board have allocated $2 million in grants to support regional workforce initiatives across the state. The funding, distributed through the Regional Innovation Project grants, aims to address workforce challenges and strengthen the state’s labor force by supporting strategies outlined in the Michigan Statewide Workforce Plan.

The grants have been awarded to Michigan Works! Agencies, enabling all 16 agencies to collaborate on projects tailored to their local communities. The initiatives are designed to foster innovative partnerships among agencies, business leaders, and other stakeholders to improve coordination and address regional workforce needs.

“We are making sure all Michiganders have pathways to earn a good living and support themselves and their families,” said Susan Corbin, Director of LEO. “Investing in creative solutions that meet the unique needs of businesses and workers in all parts of our state is part of our all-access approach to empowering Michiganders so they can build meaningful careers and helping Michigan businesses grow with access to a skilled workforce.”

The program was developed in partnership with the Michigan Workforce Development Board’s Innovation and Outcomes Committee, which encouraged joint proposals that could enhance collaboration and create sustainable solutions for workforce challenges. Each project must align with the goals of the Statewide Workforce Plan and be replicable in other regions.

“This funding enables the enhanced collaboration our system needs to address workforce challenges with a regional and innovative focus, to the benefit of workers and employers across the state. I’m excited to work with our partners to ensure we maximize the potential of this tremendous opportunity,” said Dave Meador, Chair of the Innovation & Outcomes Committee.

Jessica Brousseau, Executive Director of the Michigan Workforce Development Board and LEO Chief of Staff, stated, “Workforce challenges don’t recognize borders. This initiative will boost regional innovation and partnership that go beyond jurisdictional lines to ensure we’re equipping Michigan workers and employers with the skills and talent they need to succeed in every corner of our state.”

Four projects will each receive $500,000 to support various regional efforts:

- The “Advancing Digital Equity and Workforce Readiness in a Technology Led Economy” project aims to help employers fill tech roles by increasing digital literacy among jobseekers, connecting them to apprenticeship programs, and assisting employers with AI adoption. Agencies involved include Michigan Works! Region 7B (lead), Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!, GST Michigan Works!, and Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!.

- The “Career Exposure and Experience” project will enhance career exposure events in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. It will also produce a best practice guide for career fairs. Participating agencies are West Michigan Works! (lead), Capital Area Michigan Works!, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), and Oakland County Michigan Works!.

- The “Workforce Training for Construction, Infrastructure, Energy and Mobility” project focuses on training cohorts tied to actual job openings in these sectors through coordination with regional employers. Agencies involved include Michigan Works! West Central (lead), Northeast Consortium, Northwest Michigan Works!, and Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!.

- The “Expansion of Healthcare Apprenticeship Models” seeks to extend healthcare apprenticeship programs from west to southern Michigan to address shortages in healthcare professionals. Agencies include Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren (lead), Southeast, Southwest, and Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works!.

Leaders from participating agencies highlighted the collaborative nature of these projects.

“We are thrilled to receive the Regional Innovation Projects Grant, which provides a unique opportunity for Michigan Works! Region 7B and our partner agencies, including Michigan Works! Great Lakes Bay Region, GST Michigan Works! and Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair, to collaborate on innovative, region-specific solutions to strengthen Michigan’s workforce,” said Mark L. Berdan, Executive Director, Michigan Works! Region 7B. “This funding allows us to align closely with the Michigan Statewide Workforce Plan, helping more Michiganders gain the skills and credentials they need, expanding access to middle-class opportunities, and connecting businesses with the talent required to thrive. By working together across our regions, we can address workforce challenges with creative, data-driven strategies, ensuring positive outcomes for job seekers, workers and employers.”

“These regional grants will allow us to partner with amazing Michigan Works! Agencies across the state to expand innovative career awareness programs,” said Jacob Maas, CEO of West Michigan Works!. “Together, we can strengthen employer partnerships, highlight emerging tools like artificial intelligence, and inspire students to pursue in-demand careers in manufacturing, health care and through apprenticeships.”

“With our four Michigan Works! agencies partnering together on this initiative, we will be able to provide essential base-level credentials to career seekers throughout Northern Michigan in the construction, infrastructure, energy and mobility sectors,” said Shelly Keene, Executive Director for Michigan Works! West Central. “Our united approach will strengthen Northern Michigan’s workforce pipeline by preparing hundreds of individuals for success in these high-growth, high-demand industries. We are proud to collaborate with our neighboring agencies on this initiative to provide seamless comprehensive services to 39 of Michigan’s 83 counties.”

“This initiative represents a bold, unified step toward building a stronger, more inclusive healthcare workforce across multiple regions in the state,” said Jennifer Deamud, Executive Vice President of Workforce at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “By expanding access to high-quality apprenticeship pathways, we’re not only addressing immediate workforce shortages, we’re creating long-term opportunities for individuals who have historically been left out of the system. This work directly supports the state’s vision to help more residents earn industry-recognized credentials and build meaningful careers right in their communities.”

“Our Michigan Works! partners have worked collaboratively to develop innovative solutions that address the needs of those in their communities,” said Krista Johnson, Director of LEO Workforce Development. “This is an investment that supports all 83 counties and helps create pathways to prosperity for Michiganders.”

More information about these initiatives is available at https://www.michigan.gov/michiganworks.

LEO’s All-Access approach underpins these efforts by focusing on removing barriers that prevent people and businesses from achieving their potential. Details about this approach can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/allaccess.