Three energy sector employers recognized as models for Registered Apprenticeship Programs

LANSING, Mich. — Three energy sector employers earned honors Tuesday in a ceremony during the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium’s Annual Summit in Grand Rapids, celebrating their leadership roles in expanding the use of Registered Apprenticeships to close equity gaps while building their talent pipelines.

Consumers Energy, DTE Energy and Kappen Tree Service were honored as part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship event in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

“These employers are at the forefront of using Registered Apprenticeships to build critical talent pipelines. They stand as examples for other businesses throughout the state,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “Expanding the use of Registered Apprenticeship programs supports our state’s employers and empowers our workforce to thrive in high-demand, high-wage industries – helping us deliver on our mission to close equity gaps, remove barriers, and help people on their pathway to economic prosperity.”

Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career training program 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.

“By taking a leading role in Registered Apprenticeships, these employers have recognized the critical role this training model plays in sustaining and growing jobs in the critically-important energy sector,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “We are grateful to be able to point to them as models for other employers, regardless of their industry, to see the value of Registered Apprenticeships for their own organizations.”

The Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC) is an industry-led partnership of more than 50 representatives of industry, veterans, workforce and education. Its annual summit, titled “All In: Building A Diverse Workforce in the Evolving Energy Industry,” included presentations by national and state energy sector experts on diversity, equity & inclusion and discussions about collaborative efforts to attract a diverse energy talent pipeline.

“Many of our members, including those honored by LEO during the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium Summit, are active in providing life-changing career opportunities to all Michiganders through the use of Registered Apprenticeships,” said MEWDC Director Marcia Black-Watson. “That’s why our annual event served as a perfect platform for us to promote the value this proven training model delivers to our state’s workers and employers.”

Before receiving their awards, representatives of the honored organizations participated in a panel discussion about their experiences and the advantages of Registered Apprenticeships.

“Consumers Energy currently has six USDOL Registered Apprenticeship occupations in our portfolio, and we have found the training model and resultant certifications to be a complete win-win for the company, union, education partners and apprentices,” said Amber Fogarty, Consumers Energy Training Programs Manager.

“The registered apprenticeship programs offer amazing opportunities to prepare the next generation of Michigan’s skilled trades professionals,” said Christopher HooSang, director, DTE Corporate Human Resources. “By pairing our experienced DTE journeyman with new apprentices, we ensure that their extensive knowledge and expertise coupled with the importance of safety and service excellence are transferred to those eager to learn. Beyond those benefits, we also enjoy great success in recruiting local, diverse talent into these programs given the fact that nationally recognized skilled trades credentials offer them ever-growing, in-demand careers.”

“The Journeyman Line Clearance Tree Trimmer Apprenticeship (LCTT) program has been integral to our business,” said Kappen Tree Service Owner/Partner Jason Kappen. “Our line of work is in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the world, so safety and training are all too familiar with our industry. With this support we've been able to ramp up our training to make sure everyone has the proper knowledge and tools to do their job in the safest and most efficient way possible.

“The State of Michigan's support has helped grow our business with some of the most highly trained LCTT's across the country,” said Kappen. “This has helped us create one of the safest workforces in our industry that are working hard to give all our neighbors safe and reliable electricity.”

Michigan remains steadfast in its efforts to strengthen the Registered Apprenticeship system, collaborating with employers, educational institutions, organized labor partners and community partners to enhance training opportunities and meet the evolving needs of our economy.

Thanks to these efforts, Registered Apprenticeships have expanded across a wide variety of industries into more than 1,200 occupations, including careers in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, construction, education, energy, healthcare, information technology, mobility, and many others.

Registered Apprenticeships are part of LEO’s unique All-Access approach to solving complex workforce problems and improving economic outcomes across the state by addressing structural challenges and removing barriers preventing people and businesses from reaching their full potential.

For more information on Registered Apprenticeship in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.

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