We attract New Americans to Michigan, and retain and place top immigrant talent with a wide range of employers.

The Michigan Global Talent Initiative

What is the Initiative?

The Michigan Global Talent Initiative (MGTI) consists of 7 statewide strategies to attract, retain, and place global talent. These strategies rely on collaboration with economic development organizations, industry and economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, community colleges and universities, private sector companies, and state and local entities. MGTI programming also works to realize the State’s Sixty by 30 goal: increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by 2030. MGTI is aligned with and connected to the work of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as well.

MGTI is championed by the Michigan Global Talent Coalition (MGTC), a diverse group of business, industry and economic development organizations from across the state of Michigan. The MGTC works together to educate their audiences on the importance of global talent, locally implement MGTI programming, and advocate for integration of immigrants, refugees, and international students in Michigan’s economy.

Who Leads the Initiative?

The Michigan Global Talent Initiative is led by the Michigan Global Talent Coalition, a statewide private/public/nonprofit partnership. MGTI is staffed and coordinated by Global Detroit, a recognized Michigan and national expert in immigrant integration, but programming includes partnerships with organizations throughout the state and national best practice organizations.

MGTI exists to align business and economic organizations, corporations, workforce development agencies, state and local government and higher education with developing and implementing strategies that leverage the contributions and potential that global talent offer the Michigan economy.

How is it Funded?

MGTI was funded through a FY 2023 $5 million State appropriation, recently repeated in the State’s 2024 adopted budget. The funds are administered through the State of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).

Our Members

Our Partners

“As we work together to reach Sixty by 30 and strengthen Michigan’s workforce, we must ensure that all students — especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color — have the critical support needed to attain postsecondary certificates and degrees.”

— Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director of Michigan College Access Network