The Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), through the leadership of the Healthcare Careers Alliance (HCA) for Southeast Michigan and championed by AJ Evans of Corewell Health, has successfully secured recognition of Respiratory Therapist as an apprentice-able occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship.
This milestone follows the formal submission of a comprehensive Occupational Framework outlining the competencies, work processes, and related instruction required to prepare entry-level Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs).
“The recognition of Respiratory Therapist as an apprentice-able occupation marks a significant advancement for both healthcare workforce strategy and patient care nationwide,” said Michele Economou Ureste, Executive Director of WIN. “This achievement reflects what is possible when employers, educators, credentialing bodies, and workforce leaders align around a shared vision. By embedding apprenticeship into a highly skilled, licensed healthcare profession, we are expanding access to life-changing careers while strengthening the long-term resilience of our healthcare delivery systems.”
According to the WIN Data and Research team, Respiratory Therapists are in high national demand, with projected job growth of 13% from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. With approximately 133,900 professionals currently employed nationwide, expanding pathways into the profession is critical to meeting growing healthcare needs across hospitals, specialty care facilities, skilled nursing settings, home health, and telehealth.
The newly recognized apprenticeship model provides a competency-based or hybrid pathway incorporating approximately 4,000 hours of on-the-job learning with an associate degree program aligned with CoARC-accredited education standards, NBRC credentialing requirements, and state licensure regulations.
Importantly, apprenticeship offers a “earn-while-you-learn” structure, expanding equitable access for working adults while maintaining the rigorous professional standards required for licensure and certification.
“This recognition represents a transformational opportunity for the respiratory therapy workforce,” said AJ Evans, Talent Attraction Manager with Corewell Health, who championed the effort. “By integrating apprenticeship into respiratory care, we are strengthening talent pipelines, increasing access to high-quality careers, and ensuring patients receive care from well-prepared, credentialed professionals.”
The submission reflects broad collaboration across healthcare systems, higher education institutions, and national professional organizations. Supporting HCA employers include Corewell Health, Henry Ford Health, McLaren Health, Trinity Health, and numerous community hospitals throughout Michigan.
This achievement would not have been possible without the expertise and leadership of the following national and state professional organization leaders, as well as Michigan’s practitioners, and educators:
- Amy Jury, MS, RRT – Macomb Community College
- Helen Stripling, BFA, RRT, RRT-ACCS – Monroe Community College
- Kim Najarian, MSA, RRT – Henry Ford College
- Cathy Jo Ponzi, MSA, RRT – Corewell Health
- Jessica Sturgill, MS, BBA, RRT – Corewell Health
- Jonathon Vono, MBA, RRT – Henry Ford Health; Michigan Society of Respiratory Care
- Dana Evans, MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS, FACHE, FNAP – American Association for Respiratory Care
- Daniel Garrett, CAE – American Association for Respiratory Care
- Lori Tinkler, MBA, ICE-CCP – National Board of Respiratory Care
- Tom Smalling, PhD, RRT, RRT-SDS, RPFT, RPSGT, FAARC – Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
Their collective support underscores the profession’s commitment to expanding workforce access while preserving educational integrity, credentialing standards, and patient safety.
“Advancing Respiratory Therapist as an apprentice-able occupation demonstrates how workforce innovation can evolve highly skilled, licensed professions,” said Dr. Jan Karazim, WIN Workforce Program Manager. “Through strategic alignment with employers, educators, and credentialing bodies, we’ve built a framework that maintains rigor while expanding equitable access to opportunity. This model has the potential to influence healthcare workforce strategy well beyond Michigan.”
The approval of Respiratory Therapist as an apprenticeable occupation positions employers nationwide to develop Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) that complement accredited academic programs and national certification pathways. This innovative workforce strategy strengthens healthcare delivery systems while creating sustainable, inclusive career opportunities.
For more information about the Respiratory Therapist Apprenticeship Framework, contact:
Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN)
Dr. Jan Karazim, janis.karazim@winintelligence.org
About WIN
The Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan (WIN) is a division of SEMCA Michigan Works! and a collaborative effort between nine community colleges and seven Michigan Works! Agencies. In partnership with numerous other stakeholder organizations, WIN is working to create a comprehensive and cohesive workforce development system in Michigan, providing employers with the talent they need for success. Covering a 19-county area, including Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saint Clair, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, as well as the City of Detroit. This region represents 63% of Michigan’s labor market, reflecting WIN’s extensive reach and impact. In addition, many of WIN’s employer-led collaboratives operate statewide and engage with multi-state workforce systems, extending the organization’s influence beyond regional boundaries.
About The Health Careers Alliance (HCA) for Southeast Michigan
WIN convenes the HCA, which is an employer-led healthcare collaborative with 39 employers of major healthcare systems in Michigan, including regional and multi-state healthcare systems, as well as many urban and rural healthcare employers providing various types and levels of care. This proven model is designed to organize healthcare industry employers to identify strategies to address common talent needs. The collaborative also convenes 20 workforce agencies and state government, as well as 19 institutes of higher education and k12 school districts.
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