April 30, 2025: Apprenticeship Day

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 Registered Apprenticeship network continues to grow the number of opportunities to ensure more students, job seekers, and incumbent workers 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 a median salary of over $80,700, with 94% remaining employed, one year after completing their training; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is among the national leaders in Registered Apprenticeships, having more than 850 registered apprenticeship programs and over 22,000 active apprentices, a figure that ranks fourth nationally; 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 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 women, youth and individuals with disabilities by conducting outreach, engaging employers, and developing career opportunities; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan's efforts to expand the use of the training model have provided a substantial increase in career pathway opportunities for those who have been underserved with the benefits from Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the past; and

WHEREAS, LEO is working in coordination 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 April 30, 2025, as Apprenticeship Day in Michigan