June 22, 2009, LANSING – Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth Deputy Director Andy Levin today announced that Michigan will devote $1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to create the Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Pilot (MRAP) program. MRAP funds will provide incentives to employers who partner with their local Michigan Works! agencies to sponsor 1,000 new apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) registered apprenticeships.

"By investing these Recovery Act dollars in apprenticeships, we're giving employers the support they need to make sure Michigan workers are ready for the jobs in areas where there is a growing demand," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. 

"Apprenticeships are one of the original win-win-win propositions," said Levin during his opening remarks at the Michigan Apprenticeship Action Summit at Lansing Community College.  "Employers get skilled workers who see learning as part of their job from day one, plus lower turnover and higher morale.  And the State of Michigan gets the most highly trained workforce around." 

In Michigan, 18 of the 25 fastest growing occupations are apprenticeable, including medical assistants, computer software engineers, home health aides, and computer systems analysts.  Experts say vacancies in apprenticeable occupations will likely increase dramatically in the near future due to the average age and tenure of skilled workers from the "Baby Boomer" generation. 

The MRAP program will launch in August, 2009. Employers may use the funding to off-set some of the cost of wages or "technical related instruction" provided to apprentices. Employers will receive $500 -- one half of the incentive payment -- when the USDOL Apprenticeship Office certifies the start of the apprenticeship, and an additional $500 after the apprentice has completed six months of training.

Individuals in the MRAP program who meet No Worker Left Behind eligibility requirements will also be eligible to receive educational support of up to $5000 per year for a two year period.

For more information about MRAP contact the DELEG Bureau of Workforce Transformation at (517) 335-5858 or the USDOL Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training Michigan office at (517) 377-1746.