Gov. Whitmer Invests $1.9 Million in Programs that Support 287 Michiganders with Career Training Opportunities

Funding will help Michiganders benefit from earn-as-you-learn Registered Apprenticeship opportunities

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), has awarded $1.9 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion grant funding to workforce development partners. This investment will directly benefit 287 Michiganders by providing access to earn-as-you-learn Registered Apprenticeship programs that offer life-changing career opportunities and pathways to high-demand, good-paying jobs.

“These State Apprenticeship Expansion Grants will help 287 Michiganders get the skills they need so they can earn more money and help businesses continue to grow right here in Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have made record, bipartisan investments to help more Michiganders get the education or training they need to find good-paying jobs. Together, we have expanded career and technical education in high-school, delivered tuition-free community college for all, and created more Registered Apprenticeships in every region of the state. Let’s keep driving down the cost of training and education so every Michigander can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

Registered Apprenticeship participants earn competitive wages with scheduled pay increases and national industry recognized credentials. Registered Apprentices in Michigan earn a median salary of over $80,700, with 94% remaining employed one year after completing their training.

“We are making sure Michiganders have equal opportunity and pathways to earn a good living and support themselves and their families,” said Susan Corbin, Director of LEO. “Expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities is part of our all-access approach to empowering Michiganders so they can build meaningful careers and helping Michigan businesses grow with access to a skilled workforce.”

The grant program supports organizations that currently sponsor or partner with sponsors of existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs that have demonstrated prior grant program success, a strong history of performance, effective utilization of grant funds, and expertise in monitoring progress to ensure grant performance targets are achieved.

Grant recipients include Networks Northwest/ Northwest Michigan Works! ($211,200 award to support the training of 32 Registered Apprentices); Oakland County Michigan Works! ($330,000, 50 apprentices); Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! ($574,200, 87 apprentices); West Michigan Works! ($567,600, 86 apprentices); and the Workforce Development Institute ($567,600, 86 apprentices).

“This investment will support life-changing, earn-as-you-learn career opportunities for workers throughout the state,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “Registered Apprenticeships are an opportunity to learn important skills that lead to industry-recognized credentials while getting paid. They’re pathways into good-paying jobs and bright futures – the kind of futures we want to see in Michigan.”

Funding will support career pathways in targeted non-infrastructure occupations with a special focus on those who have been underserved by Registered Apprenticeship in the past, expanding access to high-quality training opportunities while helping businesses build a stronger workforce.

“We’ve fully embraced the Registered Apprenticeship Program model with our labor and business partners because it is a win-win for everyone,” said Jennifer Llewellyn, Director, Oakland County Michigan Works! “An employee who completes a Registered Apprenticeship is on the path toward a solid career featuring higher wages and job opportunities. An employer who has a Registered Apprenticeship Program enjoys improved employee retention and productivity, which leads to greater growth and profitability. This grant comes at a critical time, for there are so many opportunities out there, with the Registered Apprenticeship Program model expanding beyond the traditional manufacturing and skilled trades and into other industries, including healthcare, education, information technology and other fields.”

“Registered Apprenticeships offer a unique blend of hands-on experience and classroom instruction to provide a solid foundation for a successful career,” said Debb Brunell, Chief Executive Officer, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! “Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! and the entire Michigan Works! system is dedicated to helping businesses develop both non-traditional and skilled trades apprenticeships to ensure a diverse and highly skilled workforce for the future.”

Registered Apprenticeships are part of LEO’s unique All-Access approach to solving complex workforce problems. This approach improves economic outcomes across the state by addressing structural challenges and removing barriers preventing people and businesses from reaching their full potential. To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/AllAccess.

More information about LEO’s State Apprenticeship Expansion efforts is available at Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.

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