Kalamazoo Valley Announces Extensive Going Pro Talent Fund Offerings

Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Groves Center has announced a full lineup of Going Pro Talent Fund offerings for 2019.

The Going Pro Talent Fund, formerly the Skilled Trades Training Fund, provides competitive awards for employer-responsive technical training that enhances talent, productivity, and employment retention, while increasing the quality and competitiveness of Michigan’s businesses. Fund can be used for training in nearly 20 different programs offered at Kalamazoo Valley’s Groves Center. Training is customized to meet employee technical skill requirements and must be short-term in duration, preferably less than three months.

Created by Governor Rick Snyder in 2013 to address the growing needs of Michigan companies to find skilled employees, the Going Pro Talent Fund has awarded more than 2,234 companies an average of $32,000 each to go toward talent development and greater employee retention. The fund provides creative, driven, future-focused manufacturers with the tools and talent to compete in a global economy. Kalamazoo Valley’s Groves Center is a leader in providing that training.

“Corporate Training at Kalamazoo Valley Community College delivers high-quality, cost-effective, outcome-based training solutions for area businesses and individuals in the format they require and in a time frame convenient to their operations,” said Kate Miller, director of corporate training at the Groves Center.

Examples of specialized training offered at the Groves Center include Blue Print Reading, Pneumatics/Hydraulics, Leadership: Coaching on the Frontline, Robotics, Maintenance Troubleshooting, Mechatronics, GD&T and CNC.

The Groves Center, 7107 Elm Valley Drive, Kalamazoo, is a state-of-the-art, 70,000-square-foot facility that includes a Mobile Robotics Lab, 3D Printer Room, HAAS CNC Lab, Mechatronics Lab, Electrical Panel Lab, Computer CAD/ CAM Fanuc SIM Classroom and a FANUC Robodrill Room.

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 3, and must be submitted to Michigan Works! Funds are anticipated to be awarded by the state in late November. For more information about the Going Pro Talent Fund, visit www.michiganworkssouthwest.org.

For more information about Corporate Training Program options at the Groves Center, contact Kate Miller at kmiller1@kvcc.edu or visit www.kvccgrovescenter.com.