Michigan receives national honor for its leadership in driving energy workforce development

LANSING, Mich. — Citing Michigan’s innovative, collaborative efforts in support of the state’s critical energy industry, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has been honored for its partnership with the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium, receiving the Pinnacle Award for Business Development from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).

“We are honored to receive the prestigious Pinnacle Award for Business Development, highlighting the key partnerships and tremendous Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium success in supporting nearly 130,000 Michiganders who work in this critical industry,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “Since 2008, this partnership of utilities, labor unions, educators and community organizations has been building the talent pipeline that keeps the lights on and drives the clean energy transition. This work helps us ensure every worker and business can find success in Michigan.”

The consortium is an industry-led partnership — created by employers for employers — of more than 50 representatives of industry, workforce, education and veterans who are committed to building and sustaining Michigan’s energy industry and meeting its rapidly evolving talent needs. This partnership has delivered clear, measurable impact, including more than 1,950 completions in energy-related training programs, 770 Registered Apprenticeship hires, and career awareness activities reaching more than 35,000 students.

The consortium’s employer-driven model brings businesses, educators, labor partners and workforce agencies together to build aligned career pathways — from high school through postsecondary training — that deliver timely, demand-driven workforce solutions. Using this scalable, collaborative approach, new standards for preparing the workforce for today’s energy jobs and the clean energy economy ahead have been set.

Presented by the NASWA Employment & Training Committee at the 2026 Winter Policy Forum in National Harbor, MD, the Pinnacle Award is bestowed upon a state for an innovative initiative that results in significant positive impacts for businesses.

“This partnership shows what’s possible when employers, educators, and workforce leaders align around real business needs,” said Scott B. Sanders, President and CEO of NASWA. “Michigan is closing critical workforce gaps while building long-term talent pipelines. Just as important, engaging students in career awareness and scaling employer-led collaboratives across industries demonstrates how demand-driven strategies can strengthen an entire workforce system and position Michigan as a national model for energy and clean economy jobs.”

Through innovative programs like Registered Apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship training, work based learning opportunities and the annual Careers in Energy Week observance each October, the consortium connects students, job seekers and veterans to high-demand careers. Training program participants earn industry-recognized credentials, ensuring they graduate with skills employers trust.

To learn more about LEO’s workforce development programs, including those that support the state’s employer-led collaboratives, visit Michigan.gov/Workforce.

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