NEWS RELEASE: Michigan Works! Association to State and Federal Policymakers: Adequately Fund MI Workforce Network
Michigan has the blueprint; now it needs the backing
[LANSING, Aug. 20, 2025] — Michigan’s workforce system is delivering results that national leaders want to replicate. But the Michigan Works! Association is sounding the alarm: without healthy, sustained investment from both Washington and Lansing, this nationally recognized model cannot continue to meet employer demand or prepare Michigan workers for the future.
“Michigan has already built the playbook, offering robust employer partnerships, apprenticeships, and accountability,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “But the best system in the country can’t deliver on promises if Congress and the Legislature fail to provide the resources. Funding isn’t a luxury — it’s the price of keeping our economy competitive.”
Federal Action Needed Now
The U.S. Senate’s FY 2026 Labor-HHS budget holds the line on most workforce programs, but includes a cut to the Adult Training formula. Meanwhile, the Administration’s Make America Skilled Again (MASA) block grant plan risks destabilizing a system that already works.
Key facts:
At the very moment demand is growing, federal adult training dollars face a reduction.
Congress is investing nearly $950 million in youth workforce readiness and apprenticeships—a step Michigan is ready to scale.
Federal directives for workforce system integration mirror Michigan’s proven approach.
“Congress must do more than shuffle dollars around,” said Hundt. “It must put real money into the strategies already producing results in Michigan and across the country.”
Michigan Can’t Afford a Funding Cliff
Here at home, state leaders face new fiscal headwinds. Federal tax changes could slash Michigan revenues by more than $1 billion annually, while tariffs and Medicaid reforms threaten jobs and infrastructure.
In short, state lawmakers have tough choices to make.
“We understand there are significant budget pressures at play. But Michigan’s workforce is the foundation for every economic priority we have, from GDP growth and quality healthcare to new technologies and infrastructure needs,” Hundt said. “If Lansing lets workforce funding slip, everything else will follow.”
Why Investment Pays Off
“Over the years, state and federal investments have made Michigan a leader in workforce development,” Hundt said. “If we want to sustain and expand our talent pipeline, now’s the wrong time to let off the gas.”
Hundt points to the following wins for Michigan’s workforce in recent years:
Michigan ranks among the top states for Registered Apprenticeship growth.
Employer-led partnerships connect training directly to high-demand jobs.
Integrated One-Stop centers and digital tools streamline services for businesses and workers.
Transparent dashboards and pay-for-performance ensure taxpayer dollars are tied to real outcomes.
The Bottom Line
“Michigan has proven what works,” Hundt concluded. “Now Congress and the Legislature must choose: invest in success or watch our hard-fought competitive edge fade. The future of Michigan’s workforce depends on it.”
