November 17-23, 2024: Apprenticeship Week

WHEREAS, Registered Apprenticeship is a workforce training model that provides paid, relevant work experience, related classroom instruction, and a United States Department of Labor (USDOL) national credential that allows workers to earn a wage while acquiring the skills employers demand in a variety of occupations; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan's apprenticeship network continues to grow the number of opportunities to ensure more students and job seekers gain in-demand skills without extensive tuition debt, while employers get the talent they need to grow and thrive; and,

WHEREAS, Registered Apprentices who receive an industry-recognized credential earn on average more than $74,000 annually one year after completion, resulting in an 89% retention rate for Michigan employers; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is among the national leaders in Registered Apprenticeships, having close to 900 registered apprenticeship programs and nearly 20,000 active apprentices; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), in partnership with the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship, Michigan, has contributed to apprenticeship expansion through support of sector partnerships, employer incentives, and the establishment of the Apprenticeship Success Coordinator function within the Michigan Works! network recognized as a national best practice; and,

WHEREAS, organized labor has a long and strong history of promoting, providing, and training a significant percentage of apprentices in Michigan, and continues to provide people with the critical skills they need to succeed in high-paying careers with retirement and other benefits while supporting our efforts to close Michigan's widening skills gap; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Apprenticeship Advisory Body, comprised of more than 20 leaders from industry, labor, education, and the military, provides guidance to the State of Michigan to drive the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs; and,

WHEREAS, LEO champions efforts designed to provide a proven system of public-private partners to support and operate successful Registered Apprenticeship programs; and,

WHEREAS, LEO is expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs for youth with disabilities by conducting outreach, engaging employers, and developing career opportunities; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan has enacted bipartisan legislation to allow more veterans to use G.I. Bill benefits towards securing Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, and USDOL, LEO, the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and other veterans' stakeholders work together to expand veteran opportunities through Michigan’s investment of over $1 million in the Michigan Construction Apprenticeship Post-Military Opportunity! (MiCAMO!) Program that connects veterans with Registered Apprenticeships in Michigan’s construction industry; and

WHEREAS, Michigan's efforts to date have provided a substantial increase in Registered Apprenticeship diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, resulting in career pathway opportunities for underrepresented populations; and

WHEREAS, LEO is investing more than $2 million in coordinated efforts with partners across the state to host Race to Talent™ events to recruit new employers to embrace the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship and recognize current employers helping their businesses succeed through the training model;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 17-23, 2024, as Apprenticeship Week in Michigan.