Going Pro Talent Fund to reimburse employers for training costs
GAYLORD — There is currently a need for qualified staff for daycare and if you operate a daycare facility, you can get an existing or new staff member training toward a child development associate certification.
The Going Pro Talent Fund will reimburse an employer for at least part of the cost of obtaining that certification.
"If a daycare or home care center has someone who doesn't have a child development associate certification, we could help with the cost of that," said Melissa McDonnell, a certified business solutions professional with Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium.
At 10 a.m. on April 4 at the Otsego County Library in Gaylord, McDonnell will present an information program on the Going Pro Talent Fund.
"Going Pro gives employers an opportunity to offer an employee additional training. It can be training for an existing or new employee and also for those who are seeking a promotion," said McDonnell.
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Training programs funded by the Going PRO Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.
Employees, current or new, must be a permanent, full-time employee of the employer when the approved training begins. They also must be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the country.
McDonnell said the Going Pro grants total $2,000 per employee or $3,500 for a U.S. Department of Labor apprentice program.
"The training must go beyond normal business requirements. It can be a recognized industry credential or even a college credit," McDonnell said.
McDonnell said an employer who wants to improve the computer skills of an employee could be eligible for the program depending on what type of training is involved.
"The employer pays up front for the training and is reimbursed at the conclusion of training," said McDonnell.
McDonnell said eligible businesses must be current on state tax requirements. If the business is behind on taxes, they have 60 days to correct it.
For more information on the program, contact McDonnell at mcdonnellm@nemcworks.org or (989) 306-7975.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Going Pro Talent Fund to reimburse employers for training costs
