This week is the fourth annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) – an effort led by the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) to recognize the important role of apprenticeships in meeting employer needs and training a workforce for high-demand occupations. Registered Apprenticeships – those endorsed by DOL – range from one-to-six years and provide individuals with technical instruction and on-the-job experience.
Appreciation for apprenticeships is growing because of their success in effectively addressing skill gaps, filling open positions in high-demand fields, and building strong partnerships between K-12, community colleges, labor, employers, and government. They are also a key ingredient in the mix of tools required in Educating Our Workforce, one of the pillars of the Economic Development Strategy for Southeast Michigan, a product of SEMCOG and its partner organization, the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC).
SEMCOG and MAC’s business, labor, and education members are at the forefront of creating programs, training individuals, and providing work experiences and jobs. The region’s community colleges are working closely with intermediate and local school districts, workforce development, labor organizations, and business to prepare and train the next generation of technical workers for our fastest-growing industries.
Macomb Community College is a leader in apprenticeships with several different initiatives to support employers and prepare the workforce for over 65,000 manufacturing jobs in the county. Here is a summary of some of their initiatives.
Michigan Apprenticeship Program Plus (MAP+)
MAP+ is a joint initiative between Macomb Community College and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) to increase and strengthen the apprenticeship pipeline by reaching out to potential apprentices and working with employers to develop programs. The partnership received a five-year, $4 million grant from DOL’s American Apprentice Initiative to create 600 new apprentices. They reached this goal within the first two-and-a-half years, but are continuing their efforts by encouraging apprenticeship programs such as the 12-18 month Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT).
Macomb Community College is involved in many activities to support interest and awareness in manufacturing. These include developing pre-apprenticeship trainings, career fairs, soft-skill training, and building the manufacturing pipeline.
Joe Petrosky, Dean of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College is focusing on CNC machining, computer aides manufacturing, robotics, and machine repair – areas that address the needs of their employer partners. GRCC is also focusing on information technology and health care.
Apprenticeship Workshops for Employers
Apprenticeships are demand-driven programs based on strong support from businesses who depend on a skilled talent pipeline. In partnership with DOL, Macomb has held three workshops for employers, ranging from small companies with 10-15 employees, to large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to teach employers about setting up a registered apprenticeship program along with the benefits of recruiting, training, and retaining employees.
Industrial Readiness Certificate
In addition to developing apprenticeships, Macomb Community College has developed an Industrial Readiness Certificate (IRC) program. This tuition-free, 16-week, pre-apprenticeship training class provides the foundational skills needed for manufacturing careers, such as math/shop arithmetic, blueprint reading, industrial safety and trade readiness. Graduates of the program earn a certificate and the ability to get a job or enter an employer-sponsored apprenticeship program. To date, about 130 students have completed the program and the vast majority have gone on to full-time employment because of the demand for their skills.
The next program will begin in January 2019. Anyone interested in participating should contact Stacey Ahearn at Macomb’s Applied Technology and Apprenticeship Department at (586) 445-7438.
Learning from professionals
Auto STEAM Days
Auto STEAM Days is a countywide field trip to expose middle- and high-school students to manufacturing careers. It is a partnership of Macomb Community College, Macomb Intermediate School District, Macomb County, and employers. Students operate hands-on exhibits, try out coding and programming, learn about high-tech design, and other modern manufacturing experiences for two days in early December. Approximately 3,000 students will attend this year.
Students at Auto STEAM Days
Explore Careers in Manufacturing and Technology Nights
Educators have long recognized that student career interests are strongly influenced by parents, so exposing parents to apprenticeships is a critical part of ensuring the manufacturing pipeline. For five years, Macomb Community College has hosted Explore Careers in Manufacturing and Technology on the second evening of Auto STEAM Days to share information about manufacturing and technology careers. This attracts between 450-650 attendees each year to talk to local businesses about high-demand skills, hear from recent graduates who are employed by local companies, and learn about apprenticeship programs.
Learning by doing
Increased interest in apprenticeships is largely due to a convergence of efforts by community colleges, workforce development and labor to meet the needs of employers. The State of Michigan has also been a strong partner by actively promoting apprenticeships and skilled trades through the Going Pro Campaign, the Marshall Plan for Talent initiative; and legislative efforts to support Career Technical Education.
— Joe Petrosky, Dean of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Macomb Community College
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