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Executive Order 2020-107 established Michigan Workforce Development Board
MiSTEM convenes a statewide network of leaders in education, business and local communities to empower the next generation of innovators.
The Rural Development Fund Board, housed in the Office of Rural Prosperity, has oversight of the Rural Development Fund. The Board is charged with advising the Office on how to distribute tax revenue collected from mines to improve and strengthen local communities. Director is a voting member and makes final decision on projects (Public Act 411 of 2012).
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
formerly MI Compensation Appellate Commission
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August 27, 2026
Dr. Will Emerson is a dedicated champion for Registered Apprenticeship Program expansion, recognized for pioneering innovative earn-and-learn models in emergency healthcare and public safety. As Director of Apprenticeships and External Partnerships for the Health and Human Services Division at Lansing Community College (LCC), he has led the charge in creating structured career pathways that directly address critical frontline talent shortages.
His leadership centers on building strong, sustainable regional collaborations. By uniting LCC with the Lansing Fire Department, Capital Area Michigan Works!, and the Workforce Development Institute, Dr. Emerson has established a comprehensive framework combining rigorous Related Instruction with paid On-Job-Learning, mentorship and vital wraparound support services.
His recent publication in the peer-reviewed Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) captures why this work is vital:
"In our troubled times, EMS agencies face escalating call volumes, complex operational challenges, and heightened instances of staff burnout. This reality underscores the need for responsive EMS workforce strategies that can be scaled across local ambulance companies, fire departments, and municipalities.
Registered Apprenticeships provide a viable path forward, merging academic rigor with practical job readiness and financial stability. Investment in these workforce pipelines is essential to ensuring a robust emergency medical workforce.
LCC’s Registered Apprenticeship model serves as a case study in how regional partnerships can address national challenges. Continued development and use of EMS Registered Apprenticeships can strengthen the EMS profession at a time when public safety increasingly depends on workforce innovation."
Through visionary leadership, research, and dedicated community partnerships, Dr. Emerson continues to champion Registered Apprenticeship as a proven workforce development strategy that prepares first responders for crisis response, improves retention and keeps Michigan communities resilient.