Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch and Michigan Turkey Producers were among a group of 780 businesses to be awarded training grants from the State of Michigan.
The grants, offered through the Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan, from the Going PRO Talent Fund.
Herbruck’s, based in Saranac, the 11th largest egg company in the United States, was the recipient of a $214,800 training grant. The company in 2018 observed its 60th year in business.
Michigan Turkey Producers, based in Grand Rapids, the 13th largest turkey company in the United States, was selected for a $113,699 grant.
In total, 23,899 Michigan workers at 780 employers across the state were able to gain new skills or update current ones through the grant program. The grants have helped Michigan businesses create over 10,430 jobs and retain more than 37,000 jobs in the past five years, according to a press release from the agency.
“As Michigan works to close its talent gap, programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund provide resources for employers and their employees to keep up with an ever-changing, high-tech global economy,” Talent and Economic Development Chief of Staff Jeremy Hendges said. “This fund is part of Michigan’s comprehensive approach to ensuring it can compete in the global race for the most and best talent while ensuring our companies can continue to invest in homegrown talent.”
The Talent Fund provides competitive awards to assist in upskilling, as well as developing and retaining, current and new employees through public-private partnerships with employers.
The program is implemented locally by the Michigan Works! organizations which conduct outreach to inform employers of the program. Employers with a need for skill enhancement, including apprenticeship programs and advance-technology training programs for current employees or individuals to be hired, may be eligible to apply for the grant, according to the state agency.
