ESCANABA — UPward Talent Council Michigan Works! will offer information sessions in the region this summer on the Going PRO Talent Fund.

Upper Peninsula employers received 34 awards totaling $1,154,724 from the Going PRO Talent Fund in 2019 for six apprenticeships, 174 trainings, 340 new hires and 590 upskilled employees.

The Going PRO Talent Fund, formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund, increases the quality and competitiveness of Michigan’s employers by funding customized employer responsive training. The intent of these awards is to enhance and train talent, increase productivity and employment retention, support registered apprenticeships and meet the current

demand needed to address the skills gaps of employees. At the upcoming sessions, businesses can learn about the application process and how to get started. Information also will be given on the different types of training, grant requirements and funding parameters.

From 2014-2018, 2,234 companies state-wide were awarded training funds. The average amount of each award was $32,068. The average training cost per person was $962. Sizes of companies receiving awards range from less than 100 employees to 500 or more. Employers are encouraged to hire veterans and receive an additional $500 for each newly hired veteran.

Reserve a spot at a session by emailing rsvp@isupward.org.

Sessions are set for —

— Iron, Dickinson, Menominee and Delta counties: noon Central time June 25 at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Training Center, 1428 Main St., Marinette, Wis.; 1:30 p.m. Eastern time June 26 at MI Works!, 2950 College Ave., Escanaba.

— Baraga, Marquette, and Alger counties: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern time June 27 at Lakeside Inn, 900 U.S. 41 in Baraga; 10 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern time July 18 at MI Works!, 1498 O’Dovero Drive in Marquette; 2 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time Aug. 14 at Munising Public Library, 810 M-28 in Munising; 10 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern time Aug. 21 at Lakeside Inn, 900 U.S. 41 in Baraga; 10 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern time Aug. 28 at MI Works!, 1498 O’Dovero Drive in Marquette.

— Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton and Keweenaw counties: noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Eastern time July 18 at MI Works!, 400 Quincy St. in Hancock; 10 a.m. noon, 4 and 6 p.m. Eastern time Aug. 1 at MI Works!, 429 E. River St. in Ontonagon; 10 a.m., noon, 4 and 6 p.m. Central time Aug. 8 at MI Works!, 222 E. Ayer St. in Ironwood; 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Eastern time Aug. 15 at MI Works!, 400 Quincy St., Hancock.

For more information about UPward Talent Council Michigan Works! services and the Going PRO Talent Fund, contact the local American Job Center. To contact Michigan Works!, go to the website at www.upmichiganworks.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @UPMichiganWorks.