Section 408.157 - Going pro talent program; creation; awards for workforce training; application criteria(1) The department shall create and operate the Going pro talent program. The department shall work with the Michigan works agencies to implement the program. Michigan works agencies shall conduct outreach to inform employers of the program.(2) The purpose of the program is to provide competitive awards to qualified employers for workforce training, including, but not limited to, talent enhancement, increasing worker productivity, development of workforce skills, leadership and management training, and worker retention.(3) A Michigan works agency may submit to the department an application for a program award on behalf of a qualified employer. A Michigan works agency may submit an application under this subsection on behalf of 2 or more qualified employers for a shared training program. The department shall work with the Michigan works agencies to develop an application for this subsection. The application developed for this subsection must include a requirement that a qualified employer submit a training plan.(4) By August 1, 2018, the department shall develop criteria to evaluate applications and training plans and shall post the criteria on its website. The department's criteria must require that training plans meet, at a minimum, all of the following requirements:(a) Be not more than 6 months in duration, unless approved by the department.(b) Conclude within 1 year after the date the department approves the award, unless approved by the department.(c) Be conducted by a qualified training provider.(d) Not be for basic training.(5) The department shall work with the Michigan works agencies to develop a uniform training agreement to be used by awardees. The agreement must include the responsibilities of the awardee and any other requirements the department considers necessary.(6) Any of the following changes made by an awardee to an approved training plan do not require the approval of the Michigan works agency or the department: (a) Changes to the dates of the qualified training, if, subject to subsection (4)(b), the new dates will not result in the training concluding after 1 year after the date the department approves the award.(b) A change in the provider of the training, if the content of the training does not change.(c) Changes to which qualified employees will receive the training.Added by 2018, Act 260,s 4, eff. 6/28/2018.