Celebrating Apprenticeships, 2020

This week, November 8-14, 2020 marks the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). It is a celebration of apprenticeships – a workforce readiness system that has regained recognition in recent years. Apprenticeships prepare individuals for in-demand careers through a combination of academic and hands-on experience, and they provide the opportunity to “earn while you learn.”

The Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee Inc. (MASCI) held a virtual celebration this week. MASCI represents the Registered Apprenticeship community in Michigan – including industry, labor, education, government, and the public. We heard from government officials, labor leaders, current apprentices, and skilled trades professionals about their experiences and opportunities in the professional trades. Representatives of the U.S Department of Labor-Region 5, State of Michigan Apprenticeship Office, Lt. Governor Gilchrist, and MASCI President Lee Graham welcomed about 150 participants to hear about the opportunities in this career-transforming experience.

While MASCI focuses on construction and manufacturing, apprenticeships can be found in many other industries, including information technology, financial services, and health care. Michigan has more than 20,000 active apprentices, more than 1,000 active programs, and a growing number of new apprentices each year. Registered Apprenticeships (RA) provide a United States Department of Labor (USDOL) national credential that offers transferable skills and are valued across the country.

Apprenticeships provide opportunities for workers who want to work with their hands. In addition, they can provide opportunities for people displaced by the pandemic or simply looking for a more rewarding career. For employers, RAs provide a workforce with skills designed to meet their needs. Programs are developed in partnership with businesses, education, and workforce development. For the State of Michigan, apprenticeships will help meet the governor’s 60/30 goals, which create a workforce that will help support economic development.

Here are my main takeaways from the MASCI presentations:

The commitment to safety by labor organizations
The increasing number of women and minorities in the professional trades
Real efforts by labor organizations to reach out to high school students, veterans, and other populations who have not been well-represented in apprenticeships in the past
The passion and pride among apprentices for their work – particularly the ability to see results of their work in their communities
Many openings for skilled trades positions as construction ramps up again

Perhaps the main takeaway for me is how apprenticeships provide opportunities for career development in its broadest sense. There are pathways to professional trades, but also in leadership, management, and entrepreneurship for those with an interest in these options. For most people, apprenticeships can be the first step towards a fulfilling and exciting career full of possibilities.