Delta College: A Customized Approach to Building Mid-Michigan's Skilled Workforce

In the middle of the state, Delta College is changing the way Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are delivered in the Great Lakes Bay region. By working together with employers and focusing on student success, the college is helping to create the next generation of Michigan’s skilled workforce-one customized Registered Apprenticeship at a time.

Tailored support for Employers

Working with employers, Delta serves as more than just a training provider, it offers a partnership. The Apprenticeship Office takes an individualized approach, whether helping employers customize or refine Related Instruction (RI) curriculums to better meet their needs, or in the delivery of services.  

“We don’t believe in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. The point of Registered Apprenticeship is to create training that meets the employers’ unique needs. Their RI should be equally as unique.” says Gerald Russell, Apprenticeship Manager at Delta College. “We work directly with employers to understand their goals and recommend the training solutions that will be the most effective.”

Industry Strengths and Regional Impact

Given the college’s location, it’s no surprise that Delta’s Registered Apprenticeship efforts are rooted in the automotive industry, but this is actually a surprisingly diverse region, and Delta’s efforts reflect that diversity. Aside from the auto industry, we have a long history of meeting the needs of chemical industry employers. Now, with the recent expansion of the semiconductor industry, the college has taken the last 60+ years of learning and applied it yet again, helping to prepare students for high-skilled, high-demand, high-wage careers.

A year of Transformation: Streamlining the Apprenticeship Process

The 2024-25 academic year was one of growth and innovation in Delta’s Apprenticeship Office. Several new projects were launched to streamline efforts for employers, apprentices and the college. The efforts include pathway revitalization, implementation of employer-required attendance reporting, changes in invoice processing for employers, and a new application procedure that starts at the employer-level and identifies a ‘student’ as an ‘apprentice’ as they enroll.

Pathway Revitalization: Aligning Industry Needs with Education

The college’s pathway revitalization efforts tie in directly with the College’s strategic plan, focusing on retention and equity. The Apprenticeship Office reviewed RI curricula by trade for each employer. Then compared the ‘aggregate’ RI with existing academic programs and sought alignment ensuring registered apprentices leave Delta College with a credential. Those efforts resulted in several advanced certificates implemented in the college catalog. As registered apprentices complete their RI at Delta, they are aligned for an academic certification as well as their Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from the USDOL.

This alignment was crucial as the value of higher education continues to be called into question. Delta College continues to provide students with every opportunity. This is especially true when it comes to creating future educators, providing the skilled workforce of today with the opportunity to share their training and expertise with tomorrow’s registered apprentices.

Equity and competition are pillars which guide everything we do at Delta College, says Sue Roche, Associate Dean of Business and Technology. "By aligning Related Instruction with academic program pathways and streamlining our processes, we're removing barriers so every registered apprentice, regardless of their background, has a clear path to success and the support they need from the college to reach their goals."

Building Better Systems for Students and Employees

Through the college’s bi-annual Apprenticeship Advisory Committee meetings, employer partners have expressed several needs; reliable attendance reporting, accurate billing, and knowing early on when a registered apprentice is facing academic challenges. Over this last year, the Apprenticeship Office has commenced work across the college to digitize systems, eliminate paperwork and simplify tracking and reporting for employers. Last spring, based on advisory input, a progress report was implemented, issuing it to employers who request it. This report allows employers to play a more active role in their registered apprentices’ success.  

Empowering Job Seekers through Awareness and Access

The Apprenticeship Office offers outreach to K-12 schools, employers, and to the community at large. This outreach often takes the form of ‘Apprenticeship 101’ sessions and is often in partnership with other interested organizations, like local high schools and career and technical education (CTE) programs, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and regional Michigan Works! Service Centers.

Delta College also promotes awareness through their involvement in events like MiCareerQuest, a hand-on career exploration event for highschoolers; Student Technical Solutions, a unique Delta event where students can explore various technical career paths; and Girls Day Out, a hands-on STEM event geared toward informing middle-school girls about opportunities in non-traditional fields. Each event is a way to highlight career pathways and help young people to consider careers they may not traditionally be exposed to.