Michigan secures $6.6 million to help dislocated workers train for in-demand jobs

Rapid Reskill initiative to connect participants with employment or Registered Apprenticeship opportunities within six months

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan workers who have lost their jobs or face layoffs, also known as dislocated workers, will have access to new training and reemployment support through a $6.6 million federal grant awarded to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). The Michigan Rapid Reskill Initiative will connect participants with jobs or Registered Apprenticeship opportunities within six months in advanced manufacturing, construction and energy.

“Losing a job shouldn’t mean losing the opportunity to build a secure future,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “Through Michigan’s Rapid Reskill initiative, we’re helping workers build on their experience, gain new skills and connect with good paying careers. This investment supports families while helping Michigan employers find the talent they need to grow.”

Through the Rapid Reskill initiative, eligible dislocated workers will be connected to employer-driven training, industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning opportunities that prepare them for high-demand careers and support reemployment within six months. Opportunities may include pre-apprenticeship experiences that lead to placement in Registered Apprenticeship programs, as well as intensive short-term training aligned with in-demand occupations and resulting in industry-recognized credentials. By providing accelerated pathways to employment in industries critical to Michigan's reindustrialization efforts, the initiative will help employers address workforce shortages while creating sustainable career opportunities for Michigan workers.

“Dislocated workers are generally unable to return to their previous roles and need help finding new work or training for a new career – and that’s where Michigan’s Rapid Reskill Initiative comes in,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “This project ensures coordinated, statewide access to training, reemployment services and career pathways to help Michiganders secure the good-paying, high-skill jobs Michigan employers need to succeed.”

Michigan workers who completed a Registered Apprenticeship program in 2024 and were employed one year later earned a median annual income of $89,260, highlighting the earning potential of this career pathway. In addition to Registered Apprenticeships, the initiative will also provide rapid employment within six months after enrollment through intensive short-term, occupation-specific training that leads to an industry-recognized credential.

“The Michigan Rapid Reskill initiative prioritizes employer engagement, workforce intelligence, individualized career planning, short‑term occupational training, work‑based learning and comprehensive supportive services,” said LEO Workforce Development Director Krista Johnson. “Integrating these components into a unified program ensures our investments are aligned with real‑time employer demand and strengthens Michigan’s long‑term talent pipeline.”

Supported by a $6.6 million U.S. Department of Labor Rapid Reskill National Dislocated Worker Grant, Michigan’s Rapid Reskill initiative will serve dislocated workers through the state’s Michigan Works! Agencies and a partnership with the Michigan Workforce Development Institute.

LEO and its partners will work directly with employers to identify skill needs, create training opportunities and expand access to work‑based learning. Employers will be supported in developing work-based training and Registered Apprenticeship pathways, while support from group sponsors will help reduce barriers for businesses seeking to build or expand training capacity.

The initiative also incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools such as career navigation, skills assessments, participant matching and labor market analytics to personalize services, streamline delivery and improve outcomes. Select training programs will integrate foundational AI competencies to prepare participants for modern, technology enabled work environments in advanced manufacturing, construction and energy.

More information about Michigan’s workforce development programs and services is available at Michigan.gov/Workforce.

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