LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has announced that the state will receive an $8 million federal grant to support shipbuilding and related maritime manufacturing job training.
According to the state, this grant will allow the LEO to establish the Michigan Industry-Driven Skills Training Program and to expand the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative, a $50 million state-federal partnership to develop a qualified defense manufacturing workforce.
“As a state with a proud legacy in automotive and defense manufacturing, our waters have supported Michigan’s future as a maritime manufacturing hub. This funding will help us build on this legacy by supporting shipbuilding employers find success while training local workers to fill in-demand, family-sustaining jobs,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a news release sent to 6 News.
Leo Director Susan Corbin says that, in addition to expanding the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative, this funding will help train up to 720 new and existing people in maritime manufacturing.
She adds that an additional $3.6 million from the Make It In Michigan Competitiveness Fund will be invested in the maritime program.
The state says that this training development will be led by an employer collaborative, which will include maritime manufacturers, training providers, and other partners, that seeks to identify and address workforce challenges.
This collaborative will evaluate current employee skillsets and determine the training needed to fill the maritime occupations. It will also identify laid-off manufacturing workers, connecting them to employment opportunities based on their transferable skills and specialized training.
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