Skills in Sync: Strengthening K-12 and Manufacturing Partnerships Regional Partnership Pilots Grant

The Skills in Sync: Strengthening K-12 and Manufacturing Partnerships Regional Partnership Pilots grant is administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity through its Office of Employment and Training and the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. The program is designed as a pilot initiative to test and refine effective partnerships between K-12 educational systems and manufacturing employers. It is part of a broader statewide effort to strengthen workforce development pipelines, particularly in response to evolving demands within Michigan’s automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. These sectors are undergoing transformation driven by electrification, automation, and artificial intelligence, creating a need for more adaptive and forward-looking workforce strategies. The primary purpose of the grant is to support the creation and expansion of regional partnership networks that connect schools, employers, and community stakeholders. These partnerships are intended to enhance student exposure to manufacturing careers and align educational programming with real-world workforce needs. The funding is specifically structured as seed funding to support the planning, coordination, and engagement activities necessary to establish sustainable partnerships. It is not intended to directly fund student programming, but rather to build the infrastructure and relationships that enable such programming to occur through other funding sources. The total funding available for this initiative is up to 150,000 dollars, with awards supporting up to three regional partnerships. Each selected grantee will use funds primarily during the first phase of the project to convene stakeholders, conduct research, and develop a comprehensive action plan. Allowable uses of funds include costs associated with hosting meetings, supporting staff time for coordination, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and enabling educator learning opportunities such as site visits. Administrative costs are capped at ten percent of total direct costs. The grant requires an in-kind match equivalent to at least two-thirds of the wage or salary costs of staff supporting the project, reinforcing the expectation that organizations leverage existing capacity rather than creating new short-term positions. Eligibility for the grant is limited to specific types of organizations, including intermediate school districts, local education agencies, public school academies, nonprofit organizations serving educational entities, and tribal organizations. Applicants must define a geographic region that includes at least one transition-impacted community identified by the state. In addition to eligibility criteria, applicants must demonstrate the capacity to manage regional convenings, develop and implement action plans, and maintain long-term partnerships. The program emphasizes collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders, including educators, employers, workforce agencies, community organizations, and higher education institutions. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package via email to the MI Auto Workforce Hub by the stated deadline. Required components include a signed cover page, a proposal narrative limited to twelve pages, a budget and budget narrative limited to three pages, and letters of support from identified stakeholders. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as demonstrated need, scope of work, stakeholder engagement, project planning, data and evaluation strategies, sustainability, and budget justification. Each proposal is scored on a 100-point scale, with emphasis placed on clarity, feasibility, and alignment with program goals. The grant timeline begins with the release of the request for proposals on June 1, 2026, followed by a webinar and a question submission period. Applications are due by July 10, 2026, with award notifications expected in early August. The grant period of performance spans two school years, from August 17, 2026, through August 15, 2028. The first phase focuses on partnership development and planning during the 2026-2027 school year, while the second phase centers on implementing employer-informed programs during the 2027-2028 school year. Reporting requirements include quarterly updates and surveys at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the grant period. Throughout the grant, participating organizations are required to document outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned. These insights will contribute to the development of a statewide Skills in Sync partnership playbook intended to guide future replication and scaling of successful models. By emphasizing structured collaboration, sustainability planning, and alignment with workforce needs, the program aims to strengthen Michigan’s talent pipeline and improve long-term career outcomes for students.

Focus on demonstrating strong existing or potential partnerships and clearly define stakeholder roles; provide a detailed and realistic work plan with measurable outcomes; ensure sustainability beyond grant funding is clearly addressed; align proposal with workforce needs in manufacturing sector