MARQUETTE — Information sessions for employers about the Going PRO Talent Fund are planned Thursday in Marquete and Wednesday, Sept. 5 in Munising.

The Going PRO Talent Fund — formerly the Skilled Trades Training Fund or STTF — will offer $27 million to Michigan businesses for training this year. The Talent Fund began in 2013 to provide funds to companies for short-term, in-demand training and is not limited to “skilled trade” occupations. Training has included welding, CNC operator, CNC programmer, robotics, IT training, electronic health records, and on-the-job training for individuals to be hired.

Training application period is Sept. 12 -Oct. 3 and must be secured through Michigan Works!. Training funds will be utilized from December 2018-December 2019, with up to $1,500 available to individuals for training and up to $3,000 for individuals in apprenticeships.

UPWARD Talent Council Michigan Works! will hold informational sessions across the Upper Peninsula to assist employers access the Going Pro Talent Funds. Companies will also learn how to create a solid, competitive proposal, as well as the services and assistance available through UPWARD Talent Council Michigan Works! throughout the Talent Fund process.

The Marquette information session will be from 1-3 p.m. Thrusday at 1498 O’Dovero Drive. In Munising, the information session is from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 5 at 413 Maple St. To RSVP for a session or for more information, email trainingfund@isupward.org.

During the 2018 fiscal year, UPWARD Talent Council Michigan Works! awarded $685,097 to 33 companies in the Upper Peninsula. This resulted in 102 training opportunities for 198 new hires and 438 existing employees.

UPWARD Talent Council Michigan Works! will hold informational sessions across the Upper Peninsula to assist employers access the Going Pro Talent Funds. Companies will also learn how to create a solid, competitive proposal, as well as the services and assistance available through UPWARD Talent Council Michigan Works! throughout the Talent Fund process.

To stay up to date on job openings, follow Michigan Works! on Twitter and Facebook at @UPMichiganWorks.