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Workforce Development

What is Workforce Development?

Workforce development is the strategic alignment of people, training, and employers to build a skilled, adaptable workforce. It connects job seekers, students, and current employees with the education, certifications, and hands-on experience needed to succeed in today’s evolving job market—while ensuring businesses have access to the talent they need to grow. Through initiatives like upskilling programs, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships, workforce development helps individuals advance their careers, strengthens organizations, and supports long-term economic growth within communities.

Why invest in Workforce Development?

Merit is uniquely positioned to meet a need that is not currently being filled, by supporting our members, partners, the State of Michigan and other stakeholders in efforts to provide a well trained workforce that can maintain and improve internet infrastructure.

As a trusted third party partner we have the opportunity to connect a range of disparate efforts across the learning ecosystem by focusing on experiential learning not classes.

  • Only 3rd party entity in the state that has connections to all required partners
  • Established reputation for excellence in our service areas
  • History of innovation and impact that elevates others
  • Our members are focused on formal learning environments which means we can spend our energy on the “in between” spaces.

Who Are We Serving?

  • K-20
  • Smaller ISPs
  • Other employers with networks.
  • State of Michigan

Building Michigan’s Human Digital Network

The Workforce Development Department is more than a project—it’s a down payment on Michigan’s future. These initiatives will create a human network as vital as our fiber pathways: resilient, inclusive, and mission driven.

Strategic investment today ensures not only Merit’s stability but also amplifies the greater good, positioning Michigan as a national model in broadband enabled workforce innovation.

By funding the Workforce Development and Workforce Education Department, Merit Network will:

  • Secure core operations,
  • Enrich our members and partners,
  • Build talent pipelines for Michigan,
  • Foster equity and lifelong learning
  • Drive the collective impact that makes Michigan thrive.