Michigan Industry-Driven Skills Training Program - Maritime Equipment and Instructor Expansion

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, through its Employment and Training division, issued a Request for Proposals under the Michigan Industry-Driven Skills Training Program focused on maritime equipment and instructor expansion. This initiative is designed to strengthen the state workforce system by investing in training infrastructure that aligns with employer demand in maritime and shipbuilding industries. The program operates within a broader federal and state strategy to meet significant projected workforce shortages driven by national defense priorities, particularly the expansion of naval shipbuilding capacity requiring a large pipeline of skilled workers. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide targeted financial support to Michigan community colleges for capital and capacity-building investments that cannot be covered by federal workforce training funds. Specifically, the funding supports the acquisition of industry-standard training equipment, modernization and retrofitting of existing lab spaces, and the development and recruitment of qualified instructors. These investments are intended to expand the ability of training providers to deliver high-quality, employer-aligned instruction in areas such as welding, machining, electrical systems, and other advanced manufacturing skills relevant to maritime occupations. The scope of allowable activities is clearly defined and includes three primary areas. First, institutions may purchase or upgrade equipment that directly supports maritime training and reflects current industry standards. Second, they may retrofit existing equipment to meet evolving employer specifications or technological requirements. Third, funding may be used to train, certify, and recruit instructors, including professional development activities that ensure instructional quality and consistency. The program explicitly prohibits the use of funds for wages or tuition costs, ensuring that investments remain focused on infrastructure and capacity expansion rather than direct participant support. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to Michigan community colleges that demonstrate experience in workforce development training, the ability to support program participants, and established or developing partnerships with employers. Applicants are also required to collaborate with the Michigan Maritime Employer-Led Collaborative to ensure alignment with industry needs. Submission requirements include a complete proposal, budget documentation, and letters of support from employer partners, all submitted via email by the stated deadline. Applications are evaluated based on a comprehensive set of criteria including demonstrated experience, alignment of the proposed scope with program priorities, strength of employer partnerships, feasibility of the work plan, data and reporting capacity, sustainability planning, and budget justification. Proposals are scored on a 100-point scale, with emphasis placed on the ability to deliver measurable workforce outcomes such as increased training capacity, credential attainment, and job placement. Reporting requirements are extensive and include quarterly performance and expenditure reporting, as well as final closeout documentation. The application timeline includes an RFP release in mid-June, a webinar in late June, a question submission deadline in early July, and a final application deadline of July 20, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by September 30, 2026, with a grant period running from September 2, 2026 through December 31, 2028. The program includes phased implementation, beginning with capacity building and transitioning into full training delivery and performance reporting. All inquiries and submissions are directed to the designated program email address provided by the department.

Align proposal strongly with employer validated needs and clearly justify equipment and instructor investments against workforce demand; Ensure measurable outcomes and detailed reporting capacity are demonstrated