National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is celebrating its 12th anniversary of raising awareness on the vital role apprenticeships play in preparing the future labor force in southeast Michigan with the qualifications and competencies needed for a strong and highly-skilled workforce. The SEMCA Michigan Works! Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) proclaims #NAW2026 in Southeast Michigan from April 26 – May 2, 2026. 
View the Proclamation
The U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America initiative continues to accelerate apprenticeship expansion across Southeast Michigan by strengthening employer partnerships and building regional capacity through the WIN Board of Directors and the Advance Michigan Center for Apprenticeship Innovation (AMCAI) connecting employers to skilled, diverse talent pipelines while supporting the development of apprenticeship pathways in high-demand sectors including healthcare, IT and cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, green energy, and mobility. WIN has also helped cultivate a growing ecosystem of U.S. Department of Labor–recognized Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary Group Sponsors, positioning the region to scale high-quality apprenticeship opportunities more effectively.
More Than 75 Apprenticeship Events Planned Across Michigan for National Apprenticeship Week 2026
The Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), a division of SEMCA Michigan Works!, is proud to support and promote National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026, taking place April 26 through May 2. This year’s celebration reflects significant statewide momentum, with more than 75 apprenticeship-related events scheduled across Michigan. Of those, over 40 events are taking place in Southeast Michigan, reinforcing the region’s leadership in advancing Registered Apprenticeships and workforce innovation.
National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide initiative that brings together employers, workforce partners, educators, and job seekers to highlight the critical role apprenticeship programs play in developing a skilled workforce. This year marks a shift to a spring observance, creating new opportunities to align apprenticeship activities with broader workforce and education initiatives.
“Apprenticeship is one of the most effective tools we have for connecting people to meaningful careers while helping employers build the talent they need,” said Michele Ureste, Executive Director of the WIN. “National Apprenticeship Week gives us a platform to showcase those success stories and continue expanding opportunities across Michigan.”
WIN and its partners are actively supporting and amplifying events across Southeast Michigan, where a diverse range of activities will highlight apprenticeship pathways in high-demand industries, including construction, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and mobility. Additional events include employer-focused workshops, youth career fairs, apprenticeship readiness programs, and industry-specific sessions hosted by community colleges, Michigan Works! agencies, and regional partners.
“Apprenticeships are more than workforce programs. They are partnerships that help local employers attract talent, grow skilled professionals, and retain the people who strengthen our communities and economy,” expressed Jennifer Tucker, Workforce Business Liaison at SEMCA Michigan Works! “When we invest in apprenticeships, we invest in people.
This year’s #NAW2026 events highlight the strength of regional collaboration across Michigan:
- Southeast Michigan accounts for approximately 57% of all listed NAW events statewide
- Other regions across Michigan make up the remaining 43%, demonstrating broad, statewide engagement
This distribution underscores Southeast Michigan’s role as a leading hub for apprenticeship innovation and reflects strong participation from workforce partners across the state.
Several National Apprenticeship Week events are being led by the WIN Board of Director organizations, showcasing the region’s collaborative approach to workforce development:
- Race to Talent – SEMCA Michigan Works! & Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!: A regional workforce convening focused on sharing strategies that support apprenticeship expansion and employer engagement.
- DESC Race to Talent Events – Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (Detroit at Work): A series of events bringing together employers, workforce partners, and community stakeholders to highlight apprenticeship pathways, particularly in construction and infrastructure.
- Macomb Community College Apprenticeship Series: Including sessions such as “Debunking Apprenticeship Myths for Employers,” “Apprenticeships in Skilled Trades,” and “Real Skills, Real Careers in Healthcare,” these events support both employers and job seekers in understanding and accessing apprenticeship opportunities.
- Michigan Works! Southeast Events: A robust lineup of activities including Apprenticeships Unlocked, Youth Employment Fair, Women in Skilled Trades, and OE324 Construction Career Days, focused on engaging youth, job seekers, and underrepresented populations in apprenticeship pathways.
- Monroe County Community College Apprenticeship Readiness Programs (Cohorts #7 & #8): Preparing participants for careers in advanced manufacturing and construction through hands-on training and employer connections.
Together, these events demonstrate the strength of the WIN regional partnerships and the collective commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities across Southeast Michigan and beyond.
“Southeast Michigan continues to lead the way in apprenticeship innovation,” said Greg Pitoniak, CEO at SEMCA Michigan Works! “The level of engagement we’re seeing this year reflects the strength of our partnerships and a shared commitment to building sustainable talent pipelines through Registered Apprenticeships.”
Beyond Southeast Michigan, more than 30 additional events are taking place across the state, demonstrating broad engagement in apprenticeship expansion.
These events include:
- Apprenticeship workshops and employer training sessions hosted by Michigan Works! agencies
- Career fairs and student engagement events across K-12 and postsecondary institutions
- Apprenticeship signing ceremonies and completion celebrations
- Industry-specific open houses and workforce summits
- Regional “Race to Talent” events connecting employers and workforce partners
“The scale of activity during National Apprenticeship Week reflects how critical apprenticeship has become as a workforce strategy,” said Jesica Keenan, Workforce Project Manager at WIN. “Across Michigan, partners are working together to create accessible, industry-driven pathways that support both economic growth and long-term career advancement.”
Registered Apprenticeships continue to serve as a critical workforce solution, helping employers build talent pipelines while providing individuals with paid, hands-on training and long-term career opportunities.
“National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to showcase the strength of our partnerships and the impact of apprenticeship across Michigan,” expressed Alysha Albrecht, Communications Manager at WIN. “With more than 75 events happening statewide, we are seeing unprecedented engagement from employers, educators, and workforce partners committed to building sustainable career pathways.”
WIN and its partners remain focused on expanding apprenticeship opportunities, strengthening employer engagement, and ensuring long-term program sustainability across industries.
Events are continuously being added to the National Apprenticeship Week calendar. To explore the most up-to-date list of Michigan events, visit:
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week/events
About The Workforce Intelligence Network
The Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), a division of SEMCA Michigan Works!, is a collaborative workforce development initiative serving Southeast Michigan. WIN works with employers, workforce agencies, education providers, and community partners to support talent development, expand career pathways, and strengthen the regional economy.
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