Monroe County Community College is the link between your company's employee training program and the MEDC.  State law requires that 75 percent of the EDJT funds be awarded to a community college or a consortium of community colleges and other applicants, while no funds are directly awarded to businesses.  Monroe County Community College will work with an eligible Monroe County business to secure an EDJT grant from MEDC.

Michigan is an active participant in maintaining and creating a highly-trained, skilled labor force. Michigan has developed trend-setting programs to deliver job training assistance to employers. In support of this goal, the legislature has appropriated funds to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for the administration of the Economic Development Job Training (EDJT) Program.

The EDJT program seeks to ensure that Michigan has the training resources to retain and attract business and people to move into the 21st Century with a highly skilled workforce. EDJT awards are discretionary and require that businesses and training providers work closely with an MEDC account manager and workforce development specialist to develop an effective training plan. Projects considered for an EDJT award must meet the requirements of one of the following program components:

Business Response Program (BRP)

For consideration under the BRP program, projects must maintain or attract permanent jobs for Michigan residents. Priority will be given to companies that:

• Demonstrate a need for high-skill level training
• Create and/or retain high-wage/high-skills jobs
• Compete in the following industries
  • Advanced manufacturing materials
  • Life sciences
  • Technology
  • Homeland security and/or defense
  • Alternative energy

Manufacturing Competitiveness Program (MCP)

Collaborative efforts that increase the competitiveness of multiple companies, including vulnerable and high potential segments of the manufacturing sector, will be considered for MCP funding.

Priority consideration will be given to those projects that can demonstrate:

• A level of collaboration and cooperation
• Training for new techniques, systems and processes of value to the affected companies
• A need to upgrade employee skills

Additional EDJT Program Requirements

• Funds are awarded to Michigan training institutions of which 75% of the funds will be awarded to community colleges or a consortium of community colleges and other eligible applicants.
• No more than 10% of the total grant award may be expended by a training provider for administration costs.
• For training delivered to incumbent workers under the Business Response Program, the business receiving training shall provide a minimum of 20% match.
• For training delivered under the Manufacturing Competitiveness program, the business receiving the training shall provide a minimum of 30% match.

IWT Program

The Incumbent Worker Training Program is funded by the Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and administered by Michigan Department of Career Development, Office of Workforce Development through the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA). The purpose of the program is to advance the goals of the local workforce strategic plans by providing reimbursement grants to businesses to assist with skills upgrade training for currently employed full-time employees.

Program Guidelines

Applications for the Michigan Incumbent Worker Training Program are open to all businesses in Monroe County that meet the guidelines listed below.

• Must be willing to enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with SEMCA (Southeast Michigan Community Alliance) and Michigan Works Service Centers, and educational institutions in a collaborative effort to upgrade skill levels that lead to increased productivity, and improved labor market and economic advancement
• Must be a "for-profit" business and have been in operation in Michigan for a minimum of two years prior to the application date
• Must have at least ten full-time employees
• Business that have recently made capital investments will be given priority
• Must contribute to the states unemployment insurance system
• Must be current on all state tax obligations

For more information contact Mr. John Joy at 734-384-4226 or at Jjoy@monroeccc.edu.