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Michigan leads Midwest in total registered apprenticeship programs, third nationally for active registered apprentices
November 12, 2019
State celebrates National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 11-17
Release date: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019
Contact: Camara Lewis, 517-930-4928
Union apprentice carpenter D’Juanna Ferrell works alongside fellow carpenters, learning on the job while constructing a bridge on I-75.
LANSING, Mich.—Apprenticeships play a vital role in preparing Michigan’s talent to fill rewarding, high-demand and high-wage careers in fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing and information technology, ensuring Michigan’s economy continues to grow and thrive.
The state is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 11-17, highlighting the value of apprenticeships, the opportunities they create and the role they play in reaching the state’s skill attainment goals.
“Apprenticeships are a pathway to great jobs in Michigan, and an opportunity to earn a good wage without significant tuition debt,” Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio said.
Ranked fourth in the country for total number of new registered apprenticeships according to the U.S. Department of Labor data from fiscal year 2018 – more than its neighboring Great Lakes states – apprenticeships are a true means to gaining high-wage careers and economic prosperity.
“Michigan has nearly 21,000 registered apprentices in more than 1,000 apprenticeship programs across the state,” Stephanie Beckhorn, director of Workforce Development for Labor and Economic Opportunity said. “With more than 545,000 openings to fill through 2026 in high-demand Professional Trades careers, apprenticeships are a low-cost educational pathway to a great career. These are opportunities for all Michigan residents, and a great investment for employers—it’s a win-win for businesses and job seekers alike.”
Michigan was awarded a $4 million State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant by the U.S. Department of Labor to expand registered apprenticeships by more than 1,700 new apprentices and 20 new programs through Oct. 31, 2020. State efforts have registered more than 1,500 new apprentices and 111 new apprenticeship programs in the last year alone.
More than 50 events are planned during the week to highlight apprenticeships and share information on programs at colleges and other training centers. Events include opportunities for school counselors, business leaders and students to gain first-hand knowledge of apprenticeship opportunities across the state so they better understand the value apprenticeships provide as a post-secondary education option.
Apprenticeship success coordinators at each of the 16 Michigan Works! locations have resources to connect job seekers to apprenticeship programs and are equipped to help employers with developing new registered apprenticeships that fit their talent needs.
By the numbers: Michigan stats on apprentices, apprenticeship: Source: USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Data System (RAPIDS)
FY 2018 Michigan ranked:
- Third in the nation for active registered apprentices
- Fourth nationally for new registered apprentices
- Fifth in the U.S. for active apprenticeship programs
FY 2019 Michigan data, year to date:
- Active Registered Apprenticeship Programs: 1,093
- Active Registered Apprentices: 20,917
- New Registered Apprentices: 8,426
- Completed Registered Apprentices: 2,050
- Active Registered Apprentices – Gender:
- Male – 18,569
- Female – 2,348
View the state of apprenticeships in Michigan report to learn more about demographic, occupation, wage, industry and program information for registered apprenticeships.
Additional information about National Apprenticeship Week can be found at mitalent.org/naw and apprenticeship.gov.