Form

Michigan Central Talent Innovation Fund Application

As the startup ecosystem and footprint at Michigan Central continues to expand, there has been a growing understanding that many of the companies that are co-located on the campus often have early-stage talent needs that may not be met using the traditional training options provided by our local workforce ecosystem and its partners, thereby resulting in subsequent talent training needs which require bespoke training solutions.

As a way to support those niche skills needs, Michigan Central, the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, and the State of Michigan’s Labor and Economic Opportunity teams have come together to develop novel solutions to advance the early-stage talent needs of innovative startups and future mobility-focused companies at Michigan Central.

The Michigan Central Talent Innovation Fund provides startups with funding of up to $7,500 per person, to train talent for critical roles that will advance their companies.

Criteria for Participation

Founders shall be seen as meeting the criteria of ready to hire, and prepared for the usage of the programming funds upon:

Identification of a clear talent need that requires additional skills that can be trained for, along with job descriptions for each role. Training must be for a defined period of time with clearly defined skills and competencies – preference will be given to applications that offer learners the opportunity to earn industry-backed credentialing.
Training must lead to jobs that are full-time (35+ hours weekly), in-demand provide health benefits, earned paid leave time, and pay a post-training rate of $20/hour minimum.
- During the defined training period, employees must be employed at a minimum of half-time and be paid at $16/hour minimum.
Successfully identifying a training provider. Please note that support with identifying an eligible training provider can be provided. Training providers must be selected, approved, and identified on Michigan Training Connect. Additionally, the employer can serve as the trainer.
Support with identifying an eligible training provider can be provided. Training providers must be selected, approved, and identified on Michigan Training Connect.
The employer can serve as the trainer for work-based training services only, including customized training, OJT (on-the-job training), IWT (incumbent worker training), and Registered Apprenticeships.
Currently generating sales revenue or possesses the ability to show customer sales/partnership agreement(s) that will lead to sales and revenue generation.
Can express clear business growth plans, pointing to the likelihood of sustaining the positions of employment that are supported through this initiative.
Commit to hiring trainees into full time roles post training.
Please note that companies that fall under 90% hiring rates could be subject to repayment requirements.

Learner criteria and requirements

Trainees must be Detroit residents and meet specific eligibility standards. All trainees must register with their local Detroit at Work career center to determine eligibility for the training funds

Additional requirements for participation

In order to help ensure sustained employment and future growth opportunities, the company must enable all employees hired and trained using the program funds to participate in a minimum of 10 hours of professional development experiences at Michigan Central throughout the calendar year following their training.

Additional details and FAQ

Program team can support with pre-screening and identifying employable talent, should the company require that support.
Maximum per pupil training cost shall not exceed $7,500.
Funding will not be provided directly to companies in advance of training. Instead, payments for training that is led by the employer themselves will be provided at the conclusion of training. Payment for training that is led by an external organization shall be made directly to the training institution.

Reporting Requirements

Each company that receives funding as part of this program shall provide a quarterly update for 12 months following employment on the employment status of the individual(s) who were trained by usage of the funding received. This update shall indicate if the individual is still employed with the company, and if they have maintained full time status.
Expense statement detailing the disbursement of funds used for training costs.
Monthly and final reports will be required to document progress. Details of these reporting requirements will be included in the grant modification.

Timeline

Applications will be open on a rolling basis but must be received by February 15, 2025 and training must conclude by March 31, 2025.

Please acknowledge that you have read and understand the goals and requirements of participating in the Michigan Central Training Fund, including reporting, criteria, timelines, and other requirements?

Company Name

First Name

Last Name

Job Title

Phone Number

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Please describe your company, its goals, and its tech solution.

Are you currently a Newlab member?

Funding Stage

Are you currently fundraising?

How much funding have you raised thus far? Who are your investors?

Has your company acquired its first customer?

How many employees does your company currently have?

Are you able to demonstrate that your company has a proven business model (e.g. financial feasibility studies, revenue projections, profit and loss statements, etc.)

What are the top 1-5 business priorities that can advance your company over the next 12-18 months?

What is your company’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging’ philosophy/statement?

What talent role(s) does your company currently need to fill? Please provide the role title(s), job duties, and required skills, competencies, or credentials needed.

Will the funding from the Innovation Fund be used to train current staff, or for the purpose of hiring new staff?

If your company intends to hire more full time employees over the next 12 months, please indicate the number of positions and types of roles you’ll be hiring for.

Do you anticipate that these will be full time roles? What is that anticipated rate of pay? Do you anticipate that the role will be maintained for a minimum of one year?

Please describe any barriers that you have with regard to hiring and/or training for the previously indicated role(s).

How will filling these talent gaps advance the organizational goals that you previously identified?

Please describe the training/skills development initiatives that will prepare talent for the role(s) that you have identified.

Have you identified a training provider? If so, please provide details on the organization, training class/program, duration of training, credentials earned, and cost per pupil. Please note that the training can be facilitated by internal staff, or an external.

Do you need assistance with sourcing an eligible training provider?

Yes

Have you already identified the learners that you would like to train and hire for these roles? Are they current employees?

Alternatively, will you require assistance with identifying the talent that you would hire and train for these role vacancies?

Please attach the following documents to your application:

Certificate of good standing

Pitch deck and/or business plan

Executive Summary

Profit and loss statement

Letters of support from current and projected customers

Company handbook or onboarding guide/plan, if available

Financial projections

Job requisitions or role descriptions

W9 of training provider, if you intend to use an external training provider and that partner has already been identified

For more information on the program, please register for an info session below.

Newlab membership

Partnering with Newlab

For more information on the program, please register for an info session

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