Informational and appreciation events emphasize opportunities for individuals and employers
During National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 17 – 23, Macomb Community College will be hosting events to highlight apprenticeship. Apprenticeships provides the opportunity for individuals to earn while they learn, with students working for their sponsoring company, gaining real-world experience, while completing coursework at Macomb. At the same time, it provides employers with the opportunity to strategically develop a deep pool of talent to help sustain and grow their businesses. Macomb provides the educational component for more than 850 apprentices in engineering and advanced technology, and health care fields.
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.”
Dr. Tatjana Savich of Quality Care Rehabilitation & Autism Center noted, “Our apprenticeship program came into being because we wanted to look for ways to recruit and upskill current staff members and provide them with professional growth and development opportunities. In working with Michigan Works! and Macomb Community College, we were able to develop the first behavior health aid technician program in Macomb County. We have eight apprentices now and have plans to enroll at least five more before the end of the year.”
Grant Kiesgen, general manager at True Industries in Roseville, a manufacturer of tool and die products for the automotive and aerospace industries, believes an apprenticeship program helps preserve experienced talent while bringing in and fostering the development of younger team members.
“We have a leg up at True because we have guys with very good experience, about 20 years on average,” said Kiesgen. “We want to preserve that through younger aspiring minds that are interested in getting into the trade. They are hard to come by but once you get them, you want to help them grow. I would say an apprentice is more inclined to see the long-term plan, and it inspires their motivation which inspires them to want to learn more and retain more and try harder.”
Matt Hayduk, 23, of Macomb, feels he has grown a great deal through his apprenticeship at True Industries.
“I have learned a lot, not even just the skills of being a tool and die maker,” said Hayduk. “I’ve learned more responsibility like showing up to work on time, how certain things work like how a lunch break works and how an overall workplace is supposed to function. I have definitely transformed maturity wise.”
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is about transforming lives and communities through the power of education, enrichment and economic development. Macomb grants the largest number of associate degrees in Michigan and is the largest community college in the state. The college provides programming for youth through seniors, including early college for high school students, university transfer and career preparation programs, workforce education, continuing education and certification, and a wide range of enrichment opportunities encompassing arts, culture and lifelong learning.
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