LJ Inc. Navigates Going PRO Award Modifications with GST Michigan Works! Support

GST Michigan Works! was connected to LJ Inc. through our partnership with the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. LJ Inc. worked directly with an outside employment group to complete their Going PRO fact-finding, training plan, and application. After receiving an FY23 Cycle 1 Going PRO award of $77,500.00, GST connected directly with Laura Slieff, President, and Andrea Chapman, HR Administrator. During our meeting to discuss the award guidelines and expected outcomes, it was evident that a major modification would need to be completed for LJ Inc.’s award. Through a more thorough discussion, it became apparent that there were some misunderstandings about the Going PRO Talent Fund and program expectations.

However, by developing a strong relationship with Laura and Andrea, we were able to make the eligible modifications and changes to meet LJ’s needs. We wanted to ensure that LJ Inc. could recapture some of the Going PRO Award and not simply rescind the entire amount.  

Modifications to the award included removing the apprentices from the training plan. Apprentices on the Going PRO Talent Fund must be USDOL Registered Apprenticeships. Even though LJ Inc. has a successful apprenticeship program in place, it is a State of Michigan apprenticeship program and not a United States Department of Labor program. We also removed a few courses and replaced them with other eligible training courses LJ Inc. needs for their current and incoming employees.  

By modifying, LJ Inc. was able to recapture a total reimbursement of $19,726.00 of their FY23 Cycle 1 Going PRO award. While it’s not close to the original awarded amount, it was enough to alleviate some of the cost of the training that LJ Inc. invested in their employees.  

As with any first-time Going PRO Talent Fund awardee, open conversations can have a dramatic impact on the employer and employees involved in the training process. LJ Inc. was so happy with the modifications and explanations of how to have an effective award, they applied again for FY24 Cycle 2 and are anxiously awaiting the final results. Let’s hope they are awarded and can use the requested amount of $37,100.

UPDATE: LJ Inc. was awarded the requested amount of $37,100 for FY24 Cycle 2!