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Detroit, MI—December 5, 2024 – Michigan Central, in partnership with the ‘Detroit at Work’ system operated by Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) and the State of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), has launched the Michigan Central Talent Innovation Training Fund. This fund will provide over $1.5 Million dollars of training investment into early-stage technology and mobility-focused companies in Detroit by providing resources to acquire talent, grow operations, and create economic opportunity for Detroit residents.

“Through the Michigan Central Talent Innovation Training Fund, we’re moving at the pace of innovation to allow flexibility for hiring startups to train for emerging talent needs—while also building a workforce ecosystem that positions Detroit as a leader in innovation and mobility,” said Clarinda Barnett-Harrison, Director of Talent Development and Programming at Michigan Central. “This is about driving growth, creating opportunity and ensuring that Detroiters are central to this transformation.”

The Michigan Central Talent Innovation Training Fund offers startups funding of up to $7,500 per trainee to cover specialized training costs for critical roles. The fund aims to reskill and upskill 160 Detroiters, helping them to secure family-sustaining wage roles in mobility-focused industries. The fund will also boost a thriving economic and workforce ecosystem by supporting emerging companies and creating new employment opportunities in Detroit.

“The speed of technical innovation, particularly in Detroit where we are recognized as a national leader, makes it imperative that our talent pool is able to support the needs of transformational employers across a range of industries,” said Dana Williams, President and CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. “Partnerships like this are critical to that talent pool as they keep Detroiters ready for the jobs of today and just as importantly, get them ready for the jobs of tomorrow.”

This is one of many initiatives that Michigan Central has partnered with the State of Michigan to seed, aligning with the Labor and Economic Growth Department’s goal to attract and retain key talent to fill Michigan’s vast pipeline of opportunities.

“Together, we are creating a competitive and innovative environment that improves the quality of life for people who live, work and do business in our state,” said Susan Corbin, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity director. “We are empowering Michiganders to build meaningful careers and supporting our state’s workforce through equitable access, career advancement and career readiness, and this innovation fund also helps businesses build a skilled workforce.”

Applications are open until February 15, 2025, with funds distributed on a rolling basis to ensure timely support.

Who can apply?

The Michigan Central Talent Innovation Training Fund is open to startups ready to hire and effectively use the funds. Eligible companies must:

  • Identify clear talent needs and provide job descriptions

  • Ensure training leads to industry-relevant skills, with preference for credentialing programs

  • Commit to creating full-time jobs with health benefits, paid leave, and a minimum post-training wage of $20/hour (and $16/hour for part-time employment during training)

Startups interested in applying for funding can visit: https://bit.ly/MCTalentInnoTrainingFund.

The Talent Innovation Training Fund builds on Michigan Central’s commitment to support the leaders, thinkers, and communities that are building technologies that shape the future. It is operated in partnership with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s ‘Detroit at Work’ system, powered by Detroit’s workforce agency, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. Earlier this year, The Michigan Central Scale Fund awarded $1.5 million to 18 startups focused on mobility, materials, and energy. Beyond funding, Michigan Central offers access to real-world testing, implementation resources, and business development tools, helping entrepreneurs refine and scale their solutions faster.

Michigan Central is also home to a growing community of innovators and local businesses. Founding partner Google moved its Code Next youth program into The Station’s office tower in July and Ford’s Model e and Integrated Services teams joined more than 725 employees from 128 companies and startups next door at Newlab at Michigan Central.

For more information, visit michigancentral.com/community/skills-programming/.

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About Michigan Central

Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities, and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future. By providing access to world-class infrastructure, tools, and resources, Michigan Central inspires innovators and community members to collaborate on real, ground-breaking solutions to global problems. Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has grown into a diverse ecosystem of about 730 employees from almost 130 companies and startups working at the intersection of mobility and society. Learn more at Michigan Central .

About Detroit at Work

Detroit at Work is a program powered by Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, a Michigan Works agency and proud partner of the American Job Center Network charged with implementing the vision of the Mayor of Detroit’s Workforce Development Board.

Detroit at Work is the City of Detroit’s workforce development ecosystem that works to strengthen Detroit’s talent pool, create career opportunities for Detroiters at all levels of education, experience and skills, and give employers access to a demand-driven talent pipeline. In particular, Detroit at Work considers the needs of the disability community and those individuals who do not have English as their first language as key groups in our priority of service commitment.

Detroit at Work offers residents and employers a centralized location for all workforce development resources, including a career center network, recruitment services, workforce insights, training programs and strategic partnerships.

The Detroit at Work website at https://detroitatwork.com is a centralized online portal sharing information with Detroiters to help them find employment, advance their career through training, or access a range of supportive services. Jobseekers can also reach out for support via the Detroit at Work call center at (313) 962-WORK (9675) or via TTY Number 711.

Employers can partner with Detroit at Work to recruit, train, and retain qualified residents for open positions.