Michiganders encouraged to explore paid training career opportunities during Michigan Apprenticeship Week

Michigan ranks fifth nationally in active apprentices, created 10,000 new registered apprenticeship opportunities since 2019

LANSING, Mich. — To highlight the important role registered apprenticeships play in supporting both employers who need skilled talent and Michigan’s workers who gain skills toward rewarding, high-wage and in-demand careers, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared November 14-20 as Michigan Apprenticeship Week.

As part of this week, Michigan career seekers are encouraged to consider earning while learning through a paid registered apprenticeship program. 

“Registered apprenticeship puts Michiganders first by creating life-changing opportunities for our state’s workers and support for Michigan businesses,” said Susan Corbin, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Director. “We are committed to helping people secure high-paying jobs while helping employers develop and retain the highly-skilled talent they need to grow and prosper – and registered apprenticeship allows us to do exactly that.”

Registered apprenticeships are industry-driven, high-quality career training programs in which employers develop and prepare Michigan’s future workforce. Apprentices gain paid work experience, related classroom instruction and a national industry-recognized credential upon program completion.

According to the most recent statistics available through the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Management Data System, Michigan ranks fifth nationally in active apprentices (18,026), eighth in active programs (1,102) and seventh in new apprentices (6,251). 

“Registered apprenticeship plays a vital and increasingly prominent role in developing and preparing Michigan’s future workforce,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO's Office of Employment and Training. “The opportunities created through Registered Apprenticeship are expanding across both traditional and nontraditional industries into more than 1,200 occupations, including careers in agriculture, construction, energy, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, mobility and many others.”

Since 2019, LEO has awarded more than $50 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion funding to organizations throughout Michigan to help support the creation of over 700 high quality pre-apprenticeship and 10,000 new registered apprenticeship opportunities.

Employers and labor organizations offer registered apprenticeship opportunities and training to support Michigan’s workforce, ensuring the state’s economy continues to grow and thrive. 

“While college may be the answer for many people, it’s not the only pathway to a good paying job in a high-demand field,” said Geno Alessandrini, Sr., Michigan Laborers District Council Business Manager. “Apprenticeship Week helps highlight skilled trades apprenticeship programs across the state and opportunities to showcase how we are building pipelines to high-paying careers with great benefits for underserved communities across the state. Michigan Laborers’ apprenticeship program provides world-class training to a diverse group of apprentices through state-of-the-art technology and advanced curriculum. Apprentices receive tuition-free, earn-while-you learn training and acquire the necessary skills to excel in the construction industry throughout their career.”

Registered apprenticeship program completion also results in a national, industry-recognized credential upon completion, supporting Governor Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 initiative to increase the number of working-age adults in the state with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by the year 2030.

Employers and career seekers interested in starting registered apprenticeships should visit Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.