Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! will receive a grant of $204,234 through Michigan’s Young Professionals initiative to provide youth and young adults an introduction to the world of work.

Young Professionals supports Michiganders ages 14 to 24 who face barriers on the path to employment by exposing them to multiple career and educational opportunities, such as obtaining work experience or earning an in-demand training certificate, said Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.The U.P. grant is part of $3 million awarded statewide to the state’s 16 Michigan Works! agencies to support the creation or enhancement of a locally developed Young Professionals employment initiative to meet the needs of the communities they serve, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday in a news release.

“The Young Professionals initiative gives our future leaders the tools they need to find good-paying, in-demand jobs so they can protect and provide for themselves and their families,” Whitmer said.

During 2024, 992 individuals participated in Young Professionals activities to explore a wide spectrum of career interests and pathways.

“Young Professionals allows our Michigan Works! partners with local businesses to create a customized, localized approach to place young Michiganders on an in-demand career path to achieve lifelong economic self-sufficiency,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training.

Funding to support Young Professionals is provided through the Governor’s Reserve Fund, which is aimed at preparing a future workforce and keeping youth in Michigan by focusing on in-demand skills and post-secondary credentials to benefit individuals, employers and communities.

Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! has an administrative office in Escanaba and 14 service centers, including Iron Mountain and Iron River. The Iron Mountain center is at 127 S. Stephenson Ave. and can be reached at 906-774-3647. The Iron River center is at 305 W. Genesee St. and can be reached at 906-265-0532.

For more information, call 1-800-285-9675 or go to Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks.