Dear Workforce Professionals and Partners,
As we reflect on 2025, we are grateful for the leadership and collaboration that made it possible for the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) to continue doing what we do best: connecting data to decision-making, convening partners around shared goals, and building practical solutions that strengthen talent pipelines across Southeast Michigan.
This year, WIN made significant future of work impacts in meaningful ways. From expanding Registered Apprenticeship capacity, helping thousands of students explore in-demand careers, supporting Michigan’s future in healthcare, infrastructure, and mobility, and elevating career training and workforce programs.
Serving as the coordinating backbone for regional workforce strategies across Southeast Michigan, WIN unites nine community colleges and seven Michigan Works! agencies to pursue shared priorities, braided funding, and deliver measurable outcomes. This collaboration exists because regional leaders recognized the scale of workforce challenges and opportunities requires a shared strategy, shared infrastructure, and shared accountability.
2025 Highlights
Expanding Apprenticeship Pathways and Partner Capacity
Continuing to accelerate Registered Apprenticeship growth by supporting a stronger “intermediary” ecosystem across Southeast Michigan, WIN highlighted a growing network of board members’ organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary Group Sponsors; an important step toward scaling quality apprenticeship opportunities for both employers and job seekers.
Through the Advance Michigan Center for Apprenticeship Innovation (AMCAI), supported in part by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Apprenticeship Building America initiative, WIN helped partners connect employers with skilled, diverse talent pipelines and strengthen apprenticeship pathways across multiple high-demand sectors, from healthcare and IT/cybersecurity to advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, green energy, and mobility. WIN also led and supported the launch of two pre-apprenticeship programs at Detroit Home Builders and Zaman International.
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Employer-led collaborations such as the Health Careers Alliance (HCA) have expanded Registered Apprenticeship pathways into surgical technology, nursing, radiologic technology, and medical laboratory science, often delivering “apprenticeship degree” outcomes through WIN community colleges that pair credentials with paid, on-the-job learning. HCA is advancing systems-level change by pursuing USDOL Office of Apprenticeship approval of new Apprenticeship Occupations like Respiratory Therapists, along with building training programs with employers and colleges where there previously has been a gap, such as with CNA-to-LPN programs and reviving a Medical Laboratory Technician pathway with Henry Ford College.
WIN continued to advance its long-standing employer-led collaborative, the Michigan Alliance for Greater Mobility Advancement (MAGMA), convened by WIN since 2013. MAGMA brings together OEMs, manufacturing suppliers, and stakeholder partners to accelerate the talent and training solutions needed for advanced mobility, including connected, autonomous, lightweight, hybrid, electric, alternative fuel, and other emerging vehicle technologies. In 2025, MAGMA expanded engagement with WIN community colleges and strengthened alignment with statewide priorities, including participation from the Governor’s Chief Infrastructure Officer. MAGMA is elevating the region’s leadership as a luncheon sponsor of the U.S. Hydrogen Alliance Hydrogen Policy Leaders Convention in Detroit on May 28, 2026. 
WIN celebrated national recognition for expanding advanced manufacturing apprenticeships, reflecting on the long-term commitment of the WIN Board organizations and stakeholder partners to sustaining apprenticeship models for small and mid-sized businesses. Through the Oakland Community College U.S. Department of Labor Closing The Skills Gap initiative, two prestigious awards were presented to the collaborative in 2025: the Sustainability and Expansion Award and the Adaptive Leadership Award.
Continuing to advance the U.S. Department of Labor Industry Infinity initiative, WIN strengthened training and workforce pathways in advanced manufacturing, information technology/cybersecurity, and transportation across Southeast Michigan. This regional effort supported data-informed training solutions, including short-term stackable credentials and employer-aligned programs assisting job seekers and incumbent workers in gaining the skills needed for upward mobility into middle and high-skilled occupations. The initiative also promoted collaboration with employers, workforce partners, and community colleges to deliver flexible career readiness training models that meet real industry demand, including classroom instruction, on-the-job learning, and apprenticeship.
The SEMCA Michigan Works! and WIN team showcased employer success stories, labor market intelligence, and the apprenticeship playbooks on a national stage at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) Youth Symposium. The session, “From Skills Gap to Skills Map with Registered Apprenticeship”, took a practical look at how apprenticeship strategies can help close talent gaps while building real, paid pathways that support youth success. Thank you to our board and stakeholders for helping make this work possible and for championing pathways that lead to meaningful careers.
Strengthening The Future Workforce Through Research, Innovation, and Strategic Investment
This year underscored Michigan’s once-in-a-generation opportunity to align talent strategies with major public investment. Michigan’s Statewide Infrastructure Workforce Plan set a goal to train 5,000 new infrastructure workers by January 2030, with infrastructure investments projected to drive significant job demand across transportation, clean energy, water, broadband, and more. 
On the innovation front, WIN economic research analysts partnered with the University of Toledo on a U.S. Department of Energy-supported initiative, Hydrogen Social Network Analysis ecosystem mapping study, which identified 739 unique organizational nodes of activity and 2,317 total connections, alongside an occupational skills needs analysis that will be published on winintelligence.org/hydrogen. This work supports curriculum development and training focused on safe hydrogen production and use, preparing Michigan and Ohio workers for the emerging hydrogen economy.
WIN expanded research and consulting impacts in 2025 through several strategic projects, including:
- Conducting a Health Industry Cluster Analysis for the Capital Area Health Alliance, providing insights on high-demand jobs, wages, and skill gaps in the Lansing tri-county region.
- Producing 28 career profiles focusing on in-demand occupations for Lenawee Intermediate School District.
- Partnering with Macomb Community College to deliver an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Assessment for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
- Supporting the development of the Goble Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) Tech Talent. Study, identified 32 high-demand mobility occupations, adjacent occupations, and employers.
- Continuing its multi-year consulting engagement with Neutral Zone, including a Statement of Need, Logic Model, and long-term sustainability planning.
- Co-developing 40 Durable Skills Training Modules with Henry Ford College, to be made publicly available to higher education institutions nationwide.
Turning Apprenticeship Interest Into Action
A key theme across the Race to Talent™ work in 2025 was celebrating employers who are building sustainable talent pipelines. WIN staff and board members helped move Registered Apprenticeship from a “good idea” to real implementation by supporting employers at events hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works!, Detroit at Work and SEMCA Michigan Works!, amongst other Michigan Works! partner agencies These employer-focused convenings are designed to promote the value of Registered Apprenticeship by bringing together employers, training partners, the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) office, and workforce leaders to demystify the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship framework and requirements, while showcasing employer success stories.
WIN was proud to be recognized with two Race to Talent™ awards from Oakland County Michigan Works! in 2025. Throughout the year, WIN also elevated partner-led Race to Talent™ events across Southeast Michigan, showcasing collaborative efforts among Michigan Works! agencies, community colleges, and LEO, including:
- Oakland County Michigan Works! and Oakland Community College,
- Henry Ford College and Detroit at Work,
- SEMCA Michigan Works!, Monroe County Community College, Schoolcraft College and Wayne County Community College,
- Capital Area Michigan Works,
- GST Michigan Works! and Mott Community College,
- Macomb St. Clair Michigan Works! and Macomb Community College,
- Michigan Works! Southeast, Jackson College, and Washtenaw Community College.
These convenings celebrated apprenticeship progress, encouraged peer learning, and strengthened regional employer engagement.
In addition to spotlighting employer champions, 2025 reflected broader recognition of the collaborative systems WIN helps convene. WIN shared how regional apprenticeship expansion continues to earn national attention, including recognition tied to long-term work growing advanced manufacturing apprenticeship capacity in Southeast Michigan alongside community college partners and WIN’s Board leadership. WIN was proud to share these stories as examples of what it looks like when employers invest in people and build workforce solutions that last.
Looking Ahead To 2026
In 2026, the WIN collaborative will continue to:
- Scale apprenticeship strategies to help employers build talent pipelines while promoting “earn while you learn” pathways for job seekers.
- Expand hands-on career exploration and stronger employer-education alignment.
- Support the workforce needed for infrastructure delivery and emerging energy and mobility opportunities.
- Advance short-term training credentials, stackable learning, and employer-aligned programs leading to in-demand careers.
- Continue advancing digital literacy as a workforce imperative.
Thank you to the WIN Board of Directors, the community college and Michigan Works! Agency partners and their staff, employers, and stakeholder partners for your strategic support, dedication, and contributions to achieving the WIN mission. Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season and New Year.
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