
Apprenticeships: A perfect tool to add to talent development arsenal in Michigan
I learned something new this week. There are 6.2 million jobs available in the U.S. today. As of this morning, 97,446 of those are available right here in the Comeback State.
As the national spotlight continues to shine on our state as an example of how to foster job growth and rebuild an economy, we need to continue to reinvent the way we go about creating a talent pipeline ready to fill these in-demand jobs.
Our Going PRO campaign is designed to do just that. We are challenging the outdated way of thinking on the pathways to rewarding careers in Michigan — including the perceptions on apprenticeship programs.
Currently, Michigan is eighth in the nation with more than 900 registered apprenticeship programs and 14,000-plus participating apprentices. Knowing that 68 percent of Michigan’s future jobs will require post-secondary education and training programs like apprenticeships, we are working hard to establish more apprenticeship programs to help fill the demand. We want to be No.1
Governor Rick Snyder and I met with US Labor Department Secretary Alexander Acosta in Grand Rapids and Battle Creek to talk with health, business and education leaders in West Michigan to get their perspectives on what can be done to improve the number of apprenticeships in Michigan — especially those in the Professional Trades.
Apprenticeships have been proven, time and time again, to be a great way into rewarding and good-paying careers in Michigan while acquiring zero student debt in the process. These programs are available in a wide variety of fields, from construction and millwrights, to health care, information technology and tool and die, with both union and non-union employers. In addition to zero debt, the average starting salary for someone completing an apprenticeship is $60,000.
Apprentices are not just good for students and employees, but also employers. For every dollar spent, companies see a $1.50-plus return on their investment. Taxpayers benefit too, with a $27 return for every dollar invested in apprenticeships.

We visited some successful apprenticeship programs in West Michigan with Secretary Acosta. One program in particular highlighted the collaborative and creative approach to today’s apprenticeships, the partnership between Spectrum Health, Mercy Health and Grand Rapids Community College and other community partners to develop a medical assistant apprenticeship program funded in part by a $6 million U.S. Department of Labor federal grant. The program is the first in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Job growth in the health care industry in West Michigan is expected to grow by 23 percent, adding more than 55,000 jobs by 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These students are learning the crafts of their trade, a paycheck and acquiring zero student debt.
We later toured and met with manufacturing apprentices at Rosler Metal Finishing and Bleistahl North America in Battle Creek, learning about opportunities for students and adults looking to re-skill or up-skill to advance their careers.
It’s clear from conversations over the last few months — even more so after our meeting with Secretary Acosta — registered apprenticeships are a tried-and-true means for creating a robust talent pipeline for our state and closing the talent gap in Michigan. Like with career tech classes in our schools, we have great examples of well-rounded apprenticeship programs in our state. We need to take those examples and grow more.
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes this need, too. Secretary Acosta shared with the Governor and me several transformational changes he and his team at DOL are quickly taking to allow apprenticeships to grow even more.
What is Michigan doing to grow apprenticeships and talent in the state?
1. Michigan Career Pathways Alliance — This partnership between the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development, the Michigan Department of Education and several business, labor, education and economic development leaders is designed to improve access to programs like apprenticeships after high school.
2. Michigan Works! Apprenticeship Success Coordinators — Each of the state’s 16 Michigan Works! locations recently added these success coordinators to help grow registered apprenticeship programs in Michigan by collaborating with employers and educators around the state.
3. Going PRO in Michigan — TED’s Going PRO campaign is designed to change dated perceptions on the Professional Trades among students and those who influence them. These are good-paying, high-demand and high-reward jobs. Knowing that a third of Michigan’s job growth over the next five years will be through education and training programs like apprenticeships, we are working hard to establish more apprenticeship programs to help fill the demand.
4. Skilled Trades Training Fund — The training fund awards grants to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current employees and individuals to be hired. Training is customized to meet employee skill requirements and is short-term in duration, preferably less than three months, with no training extending more than six months.

