AFL-CIO receives $4M from state for workplace training program, veterans group gets $250K

The 2025 Michigan budget awarded a total of $5 million to three workplace training organizations, though a union-affiliated one was the big winner.

The Michigan Workforce Development Institute, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, will receive $4 million. A second organization, called a “forest products workforce training and development program” in the budget, will receive $750,000. Helmets to Hard Hats, a veterans organization will receive $250,000.

The state budget provides no information about the forest-related program, including who will receive the funds, other than the recipient is based in Lansing.

These three projects are enhancement grants, colloquially known as earmarks or pork projects.

There is no open, transparent process for awarding organizations enhancement grants, and there is often no record of which legislator requested a particular grant. Organizations that receive them are hand-picked by individual legislators, leaving out of contention others who may want an opportunity but lack connections.

Reps. Julie Brixie, D-Meridian Township; Kara Hope, D-Holt; and Emily Dievendorf, D-Lansing; represent portions of the Greater Lansing area, home of two of the programs. CapCon sent an email to these officials to ask if they requested the funds for either the AFL-CIO workforce institute or the forest workforce program.

Hope replied, saying, she did not request the money and does not know anything about the programs. Neither Brixie nor Dievendorf responded.

The union workforce institute began in 1988 as the Michigan State AFL-CIO LEAD program, according to its website. Its name changed to Michigan State AFL-CIO Human Resources Development Inc. in 1990 before assuming its current name.

“Our mission,” the website reads, ”is to combat economic and environmental injustice by connecting the unemployed or underemployed with the training and resources necessary to find gainful employment and transition Michigan to a cleaner, greener economy.”

The institute shares a street address with the state AFL-CIO. Aaron Pelo, the AFL-CIO director of communications, did not respond to an email that asked if participants in the workforce development program must join the union as a condition of participating.

Helmets to Hard Hats helps veterans move from military service to the civilian workforce. It provides “skilled training and quality career opportunities” in the construction industry, according to its website.

The state chapter is part of a national organization under the same name. It did not respond to a request for comment.