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July 29, 2026
For many justice-involved individuals, the transition back into the workforce is a series of closed doors. At 36 years old, Michael knew that exhausting reality all too well. A single decision made at the age of 18 led to Michael's incarceration, a debt to society he paid in full, yet one that continued to collect interest long after his release.
For years, Michael faced repeated rejections when applying for a job. Even when applications explicitly claimed that a felony background “does not disqualify you,” the turndowns that followed laid bare the lie. The system barriers felt permanent, and the hope of making more than $600 a week at a job with no opportunity for advancement was fading.
Michael was able to break that cycle thanks to a friend of his from high school who knew he was a hard worker and wouldn’t give up on him. Finally, Michael decided to learn more about the Michigan Workforce Development Institutes’ (WDI) Access for All® program and how it serves as a direct pipeline to Registered Apprenticeships in the skilled trades.
The best part? His past convictions weren’t a dealbreaker. Instead, Access for All® was a community specifically built to welcome and embrace people with his exact history. For the first time in a long time, Michael saw a path that valued his potential instead of defining him by his past. It provided immediate hope and opportunity instead of empty promises.
The impact was immediate and life changing. The structured classes and the ability to step directly into a high-wage skilled-trades career, without the staggering debt or the years required by traditional college, offered an accessible route to financial independence. As a husband and father to two kids navigating a historically challenging job market, the breakthrough was transformative.
Michigan WDI didn't just offer Michael a set of technical skills; they offered a future he could finally see himself in. Michael graduated from Michigan WDI’s Access for All® program on July 2, 2025, and secured a Registered Apprenticeship with Michigan Laborers. Within a year, Michael worked his way to foreman — overseeing an entire crew — making $3,200 a week with strong benefits, including a pension and healthcare benefits for him and his family.
His journey highlights the true power of Registered Apprenticeships and inclusive pre-apprenticeship frameworks. When workforce systems and employers intentionally build pathways for justice-involved talent, they don't just change individual lives—they build a stronger, more resilient workforce for the entire community.