Strengthening Leadership from Within: Wayne Wire Invests in Its Future with Help from Michigan Works!

Wayne Wire Cloth Products, a small manufacturing company committed to growth, recognized a key area for improvement within its workforce: leadership development. While their leadership team was passionate and experienced, they lacked formal training—something Wayne Wire knew could make a meaningful difference in retention, communication, and productivity.

Seeking to invest in their team’s future, Wayne Wire partnered with Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium to apply for the Going PRO Talent Fund. With Michigan Works!’ guidance and support, the company was awarded $49,500 to train 11 of their existing employees.

The training, provided by the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, featured a Frontline Leadership Series that included DISC personality assessments and hands-on instruction in modern leadership strategies. The participants gained invaluable insight into how to lead with intention—learning to coach and teach rather than simply direct. They also discovered how different personality types can complement one another and how tailoring communication can strengthen team dynamics and improve delegation.

“This opportunity would not have been possible had we not received the Going PRO Talent Fund grant,” said Pamela Schaudt, HR Assistant at Wayne Wire. “All the attendees gained something from this series of classes, from personality assessments to learning to be a better leader and communicator. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Beyond the grant, Michigan Works! continues to support Wayne Wire with resources such as On-the-Job Training (OJT) guidance, job fair connections, and youth career exploration events—ensuring the company stays connected to opportunities for workforce growth and development in the region.

By investing in leadership development, Wayne Wire is not only empowering its current team but laying the foundation for stronger employee retention, improved communication, and a more productive workplace for years to come.