Held during the annual Michigan Works! Conference, this in-person Race to Talent™ event recognized several organizations for their commitment to Registered Apprenticeship, including West Michigan Works!, Northwest Michigan Works! and Consumers Energy.
The event, which spotlighted apprenticeship in non-traditional occupations, and was funded by a State Apprenticeship Expansion grant awarded to Michigan by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
Start: September 12, 2022 12:00 AM
End: September 12, 2022 12:00 AM
Held during the annual Michigan Works! Conference, this in-person Race to Talent™ event recognized several organizations for their commitment to Registered Apprenticeship, including West Michigan Works!, Northwest Michigan Works! and Consumers Energy.
The event, which spotlighted apprenticeship in non-traditional occupations, and was funded by a State Apprenticeship Expansion grant awarded to Michigan by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
Industry Intermediary West Michigan Works! was honored for its efforts to assist healthcare employers in filling critical talent needs through the use of Registered Apprenticeship, including Surgical Technologists, Medical Assistants, Sterile Processing Technicians and EEG Techs.
Similarly, Northwest Michigan Works! was recognized for its leadership role as an industry intermediary. They worked with local partners to develop a Customer Service Representative apprenticeship program, creating individualized training plans to assist three employers. To date, eight apprentices have enrolled in the program.
Consumers Energy was also recognized for its innovative Lineworker program, utilizing Registered Apprenticeship to further and strengthen its company-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts while addressing a critical workforce need.
West Michigan's collaborative environment continues to benefit west Michigan citizens. Grand Rapids Community College is excited about the surgical tech apprenticeship program and the opportunity for Individuals to find a great career.
— Julie Parks
Dean of Workforce Training
Grand Rapids Community College
Collaboration between community colleges, healthcare agencies, and other community colleges is the key to providing a well-trained workforce within the next decade and beyond. Apprenticeships allow students to earn while they learn, which eliminates barriers to an education that will provide meaningful employment and have a positive impact on increasing diversity among healthcare employees.
— Chris Patterson
Director of Nursing and Health Programs
Muskegon Community College
The Surgical Technology Apprenticeship Program is groundbreaking for the Surgical Technology community. We have had small one hospital-based consortium programs in the past, but nothing to the extent that this program involves.
From online asynchronous courses to employer-based apprenticeship continual training, all eyes are on this program, and we are prepared to set milestones for the future of healthcare and higher education.
This program ultimately demonstrates what a true collaboration — with much patience and understanding by multiple partners and resources — is capable of producing for the ultimate goal of safer, quality patient care in accordance with the accreditation standards and guidelines.
— Stephanie Allen
CST, FAST, CRCST, CIS, CHL, MBA
Michigan Community College Association
I believe when a company invests in their employees, it gives that employee an opportunity to strive forward, and also for the employer to know that the employee is being looked upon as part of the company. The goal is for both the employer and the employee to complete the program believing in themselves and the program itself.
I believe when a company invests in their employees, you end up with a better employee. Pretty simple.
— Dave Nesky
Sleeping Bear Farms
The Customer Service Representative apprenticeship program with the support of Networks Northwest/Northwest Michigan Works! has benefitted Honor Bank tremendously through the past year.
Engaging our newly hired Customer Service Representatives in a measurable year-long training program results in trained, retained and happy employees, long term.
— Deidre Charnes
Assistant Vice-President, Human Resources Manager
Honor Bank
The Bergmann Center is proud to offer this innovative training program in collaboration with Northwest Michigan Works!. This training plan is preparing apprentices in an essential high demand field.
Customer Service Representatives are needed in nearly every industry, and completing apprentices will be prepared to serve the community at the Bergmann Center effectively — or if they choose to leave, will be qualified through their USDOL National Credential to serve in the for-profit sector.
— Charles Hayes
Executive Director
Bergmann Center
