An Apprenticeship Week Reflection: Angela’s Story

National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration in which industry, labor, education, and government leaders host events to showcase the value of Registered Apprenticeships. SEMCOG participated in an Operating Engineers 324 event held at the Construction Career Center in Howell. Over 150 educators from around the region and state gathered to learn about the many opportunities in registered apprenticeships.

The event featured a panel discussion on why this is such a unique time and opportunity for registered apprenticeships, the partnerships between labor and business, the outlook for sustainability in skilled trade careers, and trends in forecasting future success.

To help convey the value of apprenticeships, I will share an apprenticeship success story about Angela Davis. A Michigan native, Angela moved to Texas and worked in HR long-term acute care for eight years. She eventually moved back home to care for members of her family. When Angela settled back in Michigan, she realized she wanted a career change.

Angela Davis, Trim Technician Apprentice

Angela tried various hobbies to explore what she wanted to do next. She had a slow start in achieving her goal to find a career that brought happiness and joy. In the meantime, Angela worked at TJ Maxx, with a plan to stay there for two years as she figured things out. During this time, she enjoyed utilizing her talents in building customer displays to market merchandise.

One day she had an epiphany that she wanted to work in design in the auto industry. However, she did not know how to step onto the career path to this opportunity. Angela is a Trustee for Washtenaw Community College, so she made a call to the VP of Instruction for direction. That instructor put her in contact with an instructor at Eastern Michigan University and gave her further guidance.

Angela has a BA in HR Administration and an MS in Strategic Leadership, but she wasn’t utilizing those degrees. She decided to enroll in a couple of design classes to help her find her career path. One night a visiting speaker talked about software design in manufacturing, and at that moment she knew she wanted to make a career in automotive design. She first applied to Leer but didn’t get in. She then came across MAGNA Seating, an auto supplier in Novi. They were advertising for a Trim Technician Apprentice. When she realized she could get paid for her creative skills, it gave her peace beyond understanding. It’s rare to be over 55 and find a new career, but this is her reality.

As a Trim Technician Apprentice, Angela specializes in design patterns for automotive seats. It is a 3-to-4-year program in which an apprentice learns from experts that have been in the career for over 30 years. Angela started in March of 2022. While there are only two females in the trim shop where production of trial pattern development takes place, she encourages anyone at any age to explore apprenticeships. The biggest perk? You can earn as you learn and grow in your new career. That’s an opportunity that is hard to beat!