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September 10, 2026
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) joined partners at Oakland Community College for a signing ceremony to celebrate theInternational Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, Oakland Community College and other building trade unions and community colleges awarding college credit to workers who complete building trades Registered Apprenticeship programs through LEO’s recently launched Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program.
The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program was launched in partnership withthe state’s Skilled Building Trades Unions, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) and the Michigan Workforce Development Board to award college credit for the rigorous on-the-job learning that occurs through registered apprenticeship training.
“The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships program is helping learners start out ahead of the game,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “The program helps more apprentices earn college credit while learning in-demand skills through their trade – providing increased career flexibility and earning power.”
The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program strengthens pathways for trades workers at any stage in their career to learn new technologies, start their own business, move into project management, pursue union leadership and more. In many cases, apprenticeship completers will only need to take a semester of community college courses to finish an associate’s degree.
“My father was a proud union Iron Worker that later went on to start his own business. The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program makes it easier for hard workers like him to keep building on their skills and explore new opportunities at any stage in their careers,” said Michigan Workforce Development Board Executive Director & LEO Chief of Staff Jessica Brousseau. “The Michigan Workforce Development Board and LEO are proud to work with our labor and higher education partners to ensure learning is recognized wherever it occurs.”
To date, 12 Skilled Building Trade Unions have signed up to participate in the program and have either completed or are undergoing the curriculum evaluation process to determine credit transfer totals, including:
“The Iron Workers are proud to lead the way on extending our members the opportunity to continue their education without starting from scratch,” said Dennis Aguirre II, President at Iron Workers Local 25. “This collaboration recognizes the incredible quality of Michigan building trades programs and offers even more opportunities to the workers who complete them.”
Twenty-eight of Michigan's public and tribal community colleges have agreed to accept Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program credits. The colleges listed below have completed the final step to make those credits available and are ready to enroll iron workers members today.
“Michiganders build valuable skills and knowledge in many ways, and it’s important that we create pathways that recognize that learning and connect it to even more opportunity,” said Sarah Szurpicki, deputy director, MiLEAP Office of Higher Education. “Expanding pathways like this is an important part of achieving Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal and ensuring more Michiganders can earn the credentials they need to advance careers and contribute to the state’s workforce.”
Oakland Community College recognizes the value of hands-on, industry-driven experience by awarding college credit for relevant work experience, professional training, and registered apprenticeship learning, said Cameron Albring, Director of Career Services at Oakland Community College. “Through the Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program and similar initiatives, OCC provides students with greater opportunities to have their skills formally recognized and progress toward their educational goals while also supporting the talent pipelines across the region.”
“The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program recognizes the value of registered apprenticeship training and creates new opportunities for workers to build on their skills and advance their careers,” said Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association. “Today’s partnership means Iron Workers across Michigan can take the training and experience they’ve already earned and put it toward a college credential at community colleges across the state.”
As more trades complete their curriculum evaluations and community colleges finalize their credit mapping, the list of participating institutions will continue to grow.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/CollegeCreditApprenticeships.
Media Contact:
Chelsea Wuth