How the Workforce Intelligence Network is strengthening employer partnerships

As a recognized Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary, the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), a division of the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA), continues to accelerate apprenticeship expansion across Southeast Michigan by strengthening employer partnerships and building regional capacity.

Through the Advance Michigan Center for Apprenticeship Innovation (AMCAI), supported in part by U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America and additional grant initiatives, WIN connects employers to skilled, diverse talent pipelines while supporting the development of apprenticeship pathways in high-demand sectors including healthcare, IT and cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, clean energy, and mobility.

WIN has also helped cultivate a growing ecosystem of U.S. Department of Labor recognized Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary Group Sponsors, positioning the region to scale high-quality apprenticeship opportunities more effectively.

Employer-led collaboration remains central to the WIN model. The Health Careers Alliance (HCA), a WIN-supported partnership, has expanded Registered Apprenticeships into critical healthcare occupations such as Surgical Technologists, Registered Nursing and Licensed Practical Nursing, medical and optical laboratory sciences and more. These programs often deliver “apprenticeship degree” outcomes in partnership with community colleges, pairing industry-recognized credentials with paid, on-the-job learning.

HCA is advancing systems-level innovation by pursuing approval of new apprenticeship occupations, including Respiratory Therapists, and strengthening previously underdeveloped pathways such as CNA-to-LPN programs and the revival of a Medical Laboratory Technician pathway.

In the mobility and advanced manufacturing space, WIN convenes the Michigan Alliance for Greater Mobility Advancement (MAGMA), bringing together OEMs, suppliers and workforce partners to address talent needs tied to connected, autonomous, hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel vehicle technologies. In 2025, MAGMA expanded collaboration with WIN community colleges and strengthened alignment with statewide priorities, further elevating the region’s leadership in emerging mobility sectors.

The WIN collaboratives' long-standing commitment to apprenticeship sustainability has also earned national recognition. Through the Oakland Community College U.S. Department of Labor Closing the Skills Gap initiative, the collaborative received both the Sustainability and Expansion Award and the Adaptive Leadership Award in 2025, reflecting continued dedication to expanding apprenticeship opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses.

Across initiatives such as U.S. Department of Labor One Workforce Industry Infinity, WIN advanced employer-aligned, data-informed training strategies integrating short-term stackable credentials, classroom instruction, on-the-job learning, and Registered Apprenticeship Programs. By strengthening partnerships and building scalable systems, WIN is helping ensure that Southeast Michigan employers and workers are prepared for the jobs of today and the industries of tomorrow.

“Registered Apprenticeship is one of the most effective strategies we have to close talent gaps while creating meaningful career pathways,” said Jessica Keenan, WIN Project Manager and AMCAI Lead. “Through AMCAI and our employer-led partnerships, we’re not just launching programs; we’re building systems that make apprenticeship more accessible, scalable, and aligned to real industry demand. By strengthening our intermediary network and supporting employers across sectors from healthcare to advanced mobility, we’re helping ensure that businesses can grow and workers can advance in high-quality, in-demand careers.”