Michigan Lands $6.6 Million to Retrain Laid-Off Workers

LANSING, Mich. — Michiganders who have been laid off, or who expect to be, have a new route back to work. The state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity said Tuesday, Nov. 10, that it secured $6.6 million in federal money to launch the Michigan Rapid Reskill Initiative.

The goal is speed. The program aims to move each participant into a job or a Registered Apprenticeship within six months, with training aimed at three sectors the state sees as growing: advanced manufacturing, construction and energy.

The money comes from a U.S. Department of Labor program called the Rapid Reskill National Dislocated Worker Grants. The federal agency announced $95.5 million for 20 projects in 17 states on Oct. 19, and Michigan was one of the state agencies on the list of recipients.

Local Michigan Works! offices will handle sign-ups, and the state is teaming with the Michigan Workforce Development Institute to deliver services. Some people will start in pre-apprenticeship programs that lead into a full apprenticeship, while others will take fast, job-specific courses that finish with a recognized credential.

State officials pointed to the pay at the end of the apprenticeship path. Michigan workers who finished a Registered Apprenticeship in 2024 and still had a job a year later earned a median of $89,260 a year, according to department figures.

Employers are part of the design. The department said it will work with companies to pin down the skills they need and help them build work-based training, while group sponsors help smaller businesses set up or expand training.

The program will also use artificial intelligence tools for career navigation, skills assessments, matching participants with openings and labor market analysis. Some courses will teach basic AI skills for technology-heavy workplaces.

LEO Director Susan Corbin said in the department announcement that the effort is meant to help workers build on experience they already have while giving employers the talent they need. Workers can find program details through the state workforce website at Michigan.gov/Workforce or a local Michigan Works! office.

Filed under: Novi MI Business News