WIN Advances Apprenticeship Growth Across Key Industries in Southeast Michigan

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is celebrating a decade of impactful registered apprenticeship programs while highlighting the vital role in building a skilled workforce. The Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), SEMCA Michigan Works!, Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!, and Oakland Community College proclaim #NAW2024 in Southeast Michigan from November 17-23, 2024.
View The SEMCA WIN Proclamation

Supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, programs like Closing the Skills Gap and Apprenticeship Building America have enabled the WIN Board of Directors and affiliated organizations in the WIN Apprenticeship Intermediary and the Advance Michigan Center for Apprenticeship Innovation (AMCAI) to expand apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in fields such as IT, healthcare, mobility, childcare and more. These programs provide individuals with hands-on, earn-while-you-learn opportunities that develop essential skills and strengthen the workforce. This approach not only prepares apprentices for impactful careers but also ensures employers have access to a skilled, adaptable talent pipeline.

One example includes Macomb Community College, which provides the educational component for more than 850 apprentices in engineering, advanced technology, and healthcare.

Kourtney Geiger, 35, from Detroit, is an apprentice at Quality Care Rehabilitation & Autism Center in Clinton Township and is working toward becoming a board-certified assistant behavioral analyst. 

“The apprenticeship was the best option for me as a single mom working full time,” said Geiger. “I really had these dreams of advancement, and I didn’t think that it was something that I could really see in my future. So, when I was approached about an apprenticeship, it was kind of like a dream come true.”

This month, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship also recognized WIN for exceeding its commitments as an Apprenticeship Ambassador to modernize, diversify, and expand Registered Apprenticeship while supporting the success of American workers, employers, and communities across the country.

“We’re honored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s recognition of SEMCA WIN as an Apprenticeship Ambassador. This acknowledgment reinforces our commitment to expanding and diversifying registered apprenticeships, creating opportunities for individuals while increasing value for employers throughout Southeast Michigan,” said Michele Economou Ureste, WIN Executive Director.

In September, EHM Senior Solutions, a trusted not-for-profit leader in senior care serving Southeast Michigan, announced the launch of its innovative Registered LPN Apprenticeship Program. This initiative was developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and Michigan Works! Southeast to tackle the growing shortage of skilled nurses while providing a unique career advancement path for employees.

“Nursing is one of the largely unexplored occupations in the world of apprenticeships, especially in skilled nursing facilities,” said Tiffany Mueller, Corporate Human Resources Director. “We are leading the way in supporting our employees’ career goals while ensuring we meet the growing demand for skilled nursing care. This program represents a strategic investment in our most valuable resource—our employees.”

“We started researching apprenticeships back in July 2023 and this program would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the Workforce Intelligence Network and Michigan Works! Southeast, who have been invaluable partners along the way.” Mueller added.

The WIN Board of Directors is hosting over 40 regional events—including career fairs, social media appreciation campaigns, industry tours, workshops, and networking sessions—aiming to elevate awareness of apprenticeships and equip career seekers and employers with the skills needed to thrive in today’s labor market. View all the WIN 19-county region NAW events online at winintelligence.org/events/. 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024

• Open House at Operating Engineers 324, 8 am – noon,
  275 E. Highland Rd, Howell, https://www.oe324.org/
• Apprenticeship Showcase (all industries) GST Michigan Works!, 11/17 – 11/23 (virtual), gstmiworks.org/
• Community Health Worker Job Fair hosted by GST Michigan Works!, 12 – 3 pm, 711 N. Saginaw St, Flint
• Appreciation Event for Macomb’s Engineering and Advanced Technology Apprentices, 3 – 7 pm
  Macomb Community College, Adv. Manufacturing, Construction:14500 E. 12 mile Rd, Warren 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024

• MiCareer Quest Southeast hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works!
  Novi Showcase (pre-registration required, 8 am – 2 pm oakgov.com/MiCareerQuestSE
• Apprenticeship Classroom Presentation on the campus of Washtenaw Community College (WCC), 11 am
• Employer Connect with the State of Michigan hosted by WCC, 12 – 1:30 pm (virtual)
  wccnet.edu/succeed/prepare-find-job/career-events.php
• Appreciation Event for Macomb’s Engineering and Advanced Technology Apprentices, 3 – 7 pm
  Macomb Community College, Adv. Manufacturing, Construction:14500 E. 12 mile Rd, Warren 
• Health Care Apprenticeship Information Session with Macomb Community College and Macomb/St. Claire Michigan Works!,  5 – 6:30 pm (virtual). Registration required:events.macomb.edu/

 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024

• Talent Pipeline Information Session hosted by Schoolcraft College, 8 AM
  Manufacturing & Engineering Center, Livonia
• Apprenticeship Overview at WCC with Child Care Network, noon – 1:30p,
  4800 E. Huron River Dr, Ypsilanti
• Explore Career & Apprenticeship hosted at WCC, 1 – 6 pm,
  4800 E. Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, wccnet.edu/succeed/prepare-find-job/
• Community Health Worker Employer Session hosted by SEMCA Michigan Works!, 2 PM (virtual) semcamiworks.org/employers/
• The Path to Prosperity through Apprenticeships hosted by Henry Ford College (HFC), multiple industries (in-person) 5:30p – 7:30p,
  5101 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, forms.office.com/
• National Apprenticeship Week – Open House, 10 am – 4 pm
  Ann Arbor Electrical JATC: 13400 Luick Drive Chelsea, facebook.com/events/1087235869734036?ref=newsfeed

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024

• Partnerships for A Successful Health Apprenticeships: Health Care Employer Panel at Macomb Community College with Macomb/St. Claire Michigan Works!, 8 – 10 am, 145000 E. 12 Mile Rd, Warren
• RAPIDS Employer Training with the USDOL hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works!, SEMCA Michigan Works! Detroit at Work/DESC, GST Michigan Works! & Michigan Works! Southeast, Macomb/St. Claire Michigan Works! and Capital Area Michigan Works! (virtual), 10 am, Employers only, Eventbrite
• Apprenticeship 360, 2 – 4 pm at Michigan Works! Southeast | Hillsdale 21 Care Dr, Hillsdale
• MAP + Pre-apprenticeship Information Session with Macomb Community College, 4 – 5 pm (virtual), events.macomb.edu/event/map-information-session
• Transportation Technologies Career & Apprenticeship Fair hosted by WCC, 5:30 – 7 pm, 4800 E. Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, wccnet.edu/succeed/prepare-find-job/

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

• Lunch and Learn: Roadmap to Registered Apprenticeship, 11:30 am
  Michigan Works! Southeast, 1201 East Ellsworth Road Ann Arbor, MI 48108, eventbrite.com/e/roadmap-to-registered-apprenticeship

 NOVEMBER 26, 2024

• Virtual Apprentice Spotlight with Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! 9:30 – 10:30 am, msc-mw.org/em-event/
• Jobs for Michigan Launch Celebration with Michigan Works Southeast!, 4:30 – 6 pm, 209 E. Washington Ave. Ste 100, Jackson, eventbrite.com/e/jmg-launch

 DECEMBER  2024

• Capital Area MI Career Quest: 12/3/24 (in-person), 8a – 5p,
  3215 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, micareerquestcapitalarea.com/
• Apprenticeship 360, 2 – 4 pm at Michigan Works! Southeast, Hillsdale 21 Care Dr, Hillsdale – 12/12/24
• Race 2 Talent Event hosted by SEMCA Michigan Works!, TBD
• Race 2 Talent Event hosted by Michigan Works! Southeast, TBD

Already Completed:

• Apprenticeship Information Session, GST Michigan Works!, 11/14/25
• Veteran Registered Apprenticeship hosted by Michigan Works Association, 11/13/24
• Career Fair – Croswell-Lexington High School, GST Michigan Works! – 11/8/24
• Annual Strategic Plan Partnership Event hosted by SEMCA Michigan Works! – 10/25/24,
• MiCareer Quest hosted by GST Michigan Works! – 10/23/24
• Detroit Training Center Tour – 10/17/24
• X-Tech: Applied Technology & Apprenticeships Pathway Exploration Day hosted by SEMCA Michigan Works! & Monroe County Community College, 10/17/24
• Oakland County Manufacturing Day 2024 hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works!, 10/4/24
  oakgov.com/MfgDay
• Manufacturing Day Hosted by WIN Board of Director Organizations - 10/3/24
• Michigan Construction Science Expo hosted by Southeast Michigan High Schools – 10/1/24
• Apprenticeship Accelerator for Employers hosted by Oakland Community College – 9/30/24
• Roush Race 2 Talent hosted by SEMCA Michigan Works! with Schoolcraft College, Monroe County Community College, and Henry Ford College- 9/25/24

To discover over 200 NAW events happening across the state of Michigan, visit the official NAW event page: apprenticeship.gov/naw

ABOUT THE WORKFORCE INTELLIGENCE NETWORK (WIN):

The Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) is a collaborative effort between nine community colleges and seven Michigan Works! Agencies, in partnership with numerous other organizations, to create a comprehensive and cohesive workforce development organization in Southeast Michigan providing employers with the talent they need for success. WIN covers a 19-county area, including Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne. WIN was founded with the support of the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan and is a division of the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA). In 2021, WIN celebrated 10 years of research, engagements, and solutions. For additional information about WIN, please visit winintelligence.org/aboutus/.

ABOUT THE WIN APPRENTICESHIP INTERMEDIARY PROGRAM:

The WIN Apprenticeship Intermediary Program known as the Advance Michigan Center for Apprenticeship Innovation (AMCAI) serves as a comprehensive support system for sharing, creating, certifying, and managing U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs in Southeast Michigan. Made possible through substantial U.S Department of Labor grants awarded since 2015, including the American Apprenticeship Initiative, Closing the Skills Gap, and Apprenticeship Building America. These grants have fostered collaboration among community colleges, workforce partners, and industry, growing the regional apprenticeship system and expanding opportunities for Michigan’s talent. These valuable resources are provided at no cost and are aimed at enhancing workforce development. For further information, please visit miapprenticeship.org or email info@winintelligence.org.