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Every day more Michigan employers are joining the “Race to Talent™.” Inside Track shares how these partners distinguish their current training in “Registered Apprenticeship Programs”, to help them win the race.

GET READY – GET SET – GROW!

IN THIS ISSUE…

• A Year In Review
• Beyond Traditional
• Key Initiatives
• Winners Circle
• We want to hear from you!
• Make Your MARC!
• Race to Talent™ Events
• Upcoming Events
• Check the Rearview Mirror
• Tune-Up Tips

A BIG Thank You!

It’s official: Inside Track is one year old! We have been sharing success stories, essential resources and topics to help grow and support Registered Apprenticeship Programs across the state for 12 months to more than 7,100 recipients through this newsletter.

A Year In Review

From October 2024 through September 2025, the "earn-while-you-learn" model has accelerated at a record pace, solidifying the state's position as a national leader in workforce development. The state welcomed a record number of new registered apprentices, surpassing previous yearly totals. This surge underscores the growing confidence of both employers and career seekers in the Registered Apprenticeship pathway. Michigan continues to punch above its weight. While ranking tenth nationally by population, the state proudly held the fourth-highest number of active U.S. Department of Labor-approved Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and ranked high for both new registered apprentices and completions. The financial return on Registered Apprenticeships (RA) remains compelling. One year after completing their training, the median annual earnings for a registered apprentice in Michigan exceeded $80,700, with an impressive 94% retention rate with their initial employer one year after program completion.

Beyond Traditional

Health Care and Social Assistance and Public Administration both set record marks for new registered apprentices, demonstrating the versatility of the RA model. New and emerging occupations — Educational Services, Health and Human Services, and Advanced Manufacturing — showcase the RAP adaptability to the state’s evolving economic needs.

Key Initiatives

The Michigan Apprenticeship Readiness Certification (MARC) continued to grow, endorsing high-quality Apprenticeship Readiness programs and providing completers with an official quality stamp. The endorsement streamlines the path for job seekers into RAPs and ensuring they possess essential foundational skills. Several training providers were highlighted for creating customized training programs to meet specific business needs in diverse industries, including semiconductors, automotive and healthcare. Michigan Works! Agencies across the state continued to serve as no-cost Group Sponsors (Intermediaries) and provided customized services, assisting employers with turning their existing training into a RAP. The WorkHands application continues to see record usage across the RA ecosystem, currently being utilized by 894 active apprentices, 285 employer sponsors and 68 group sponsors to track On-Job-Learning and Related Instruction.

Winners Circle

The real impact of Registered Apprenticeship is seen in the lives transformed. This year, we celebrated numerous success stories, including veterans transitioning to skilled trades through programs like Helmets to Hardhats, and individuals gaining career independence through innovative culinary and technical programs. October 2024 - Vikram Durci at Focus Hope November 2024 - Stephen Hutchinson at the Elite Group & Paige Richer at Zubke Family Dentistry December 2024 - Casey at Oakview Medical Care Facility January 2025 - Cherish Crane, WDI Access for All Graduate February 2025 - Hanna at Kappen Tree Service March 2025 - Charles “Moose” Cline at Ironworkers Local 25 April 2025 - Todd Carpenter at Nexteer Automotive May 2025 - Mariya at Zaman International June 2025 - Eliza, Healthcare Registered Apprentice July 2025 - Michael at P&C Prime  August 2025 - Patrick Gass at Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Local 706 & Gabriel Corradi at Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Local 687 September 2025 - Julien Wielkopolan at Insulators Union Local 324 & Andrew Hicks at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58

We want to hear from you!

To ensure the Registered Apprenticeship Michigan Inside Track newsletter provides you with the most valuable and relevant information, please take a few minutes to tell us what you'd like to see more of in the upcoming year.

If you have a Registered Apprenticeship success story or want to highlight your company's work with Registered Apprenticeships, please send a request to apprenticeship@michigan.gov.

Make Your MARC!

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD), based on guidance from the Michigan Apprenticeship Advisory Body, endorses high-quality apprenticeship readiness programs with a Michigan Apprenticeship Readiness Certificate (MARC).  The MARC is an official endorsement that acts as a quality stamp for Apprenticeship Readiness programming. It confirms that an Apprenticeship Readiness program completer has the foundational skills employers suggest are essential for entry into and successful completion of a Registered Apprenticeship Program. MARC endorsement levels are not sequential. They are distinct program endorsements, each with their own specific value. MARC LEADERBOARD Table Apprenticeship Readiness Programs Endorsements MacAllister Machinery (Formerly Michigan CAT) & Operating Engineers 324 18 Upper Peninsula Construction Council 10 Focus: HOPE 6 Zaman International 4 Oakland Community College 4 Kent Career Tech Center 2 Jackson Community College 1 Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons Local 514 – Fessler & Bowman 1 Iosco RESA 1 IBEW 948 1

Want your Apprenticeship Readiness Program endorsed? Complete the MARC Interest Form.

Race to Talent™ Events

Successful Race to Talent™ events bring together business, labor, education, community and workforce development leaders who contribute to an in-depth discussion around stakeholder benefits from using the Registered Apprenticeship training model to grow needed talent for business success. Event participants contribute by following a structured outline proven to:

• Raise Awareness of the numerous stakeholders benefits the training model provides
• Recognize Partners by introducing those in the region and/or sectors already using the model to accelerate skill development and business success
• Recruit New Partners whose organizations can benefit from using the training model

Find more information on Race to Talent™ events here.

Upcoming Events

Michigan Works! Northeast Race to Talent Event

Hosted By: Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Location: Otsego County Library – 700 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord MI 49735
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 12:30-2:30 p.m.

This interactive session will show how Registered Apprenticeship Programs strengthen your workforce by building skilled talent, whether you’re starting a new initiative or enhancing an existing one. You’ll hear inspiring success stories, gain practical insights and discover strategies to attract and retain top talent.

Southeast Michigan Works Race to Talent Event

Hosted By: Southeast Michigan Works!
Location: Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building – 4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 9-11 a.m.

Join Michigan Works! Southeast at Washtenaw Community College for a one-of-a-kind Race to Talent Event—a hands-on, employer-focused event designed to take the guesswork out of launching a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Whether you're just getting started or ready to grow, we’ll help you overcome two of the most common barriers of understanding and completing Department of Labor (DOL) paperwork and finding the right training provider or aligning your existing curriculum.

The event will highlight how group sponsors and training providers work together to make Registered Apprenticeship simple, scalable and impactful, especially in high-demand fields like IT, Cybersecurity and Advanced Manufacturing.

Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap to register your apprenticeship program and be connected to the partners to make it happen—as easy as 1, 2, 3. Space is limited—register now and join the race to build your talent pipeline through apprenticeship!

GST Michigan Works Race to Talent Event

Hosted By: GST Michigan Works
Location: Flint Odyssey House (1116 Bristol Rd., Flint, MI 48507)
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This event will highlight Flint Odyssey House and the development of their Community Health Worker (CHW) Registered Apprenticeship Program. Regardless of whether your organization has an active Registered Apprenticeship Program or is seeking information on where to begin, please join us to learn more about how the CHW Registered Apprenticeship Program was created and implemented!

Be sure to visit the Registered Apprenticeship Michigan website to see the latest list of upcoming events.

Check the Rearview Mirror

September 4, 2025: The State Apprenticeship Expansion team, along with employers and industry professionals across Technology, Supply Chain, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Trades and Skilled Labor, gathered to promote MiCRI/PROWD participants and Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

September 7-9, 2025: Workforce development professionals from across the state attended the 2025 MWA Conference. The State Apprenticeship Expansion team presented on MARC and MiCAMO!, and were interviewed about how Registered Apprenticeship benefits Michiganders' careers.

September 8, 2025: The Southwest Michigan Works! Race to Talent event celebrated Registered Apprenticeships. It featured an employer/apprentice panel, highlighted non-traditional programs and honored local businesses with the Race to Talent award.

September 12, 2025: Employers, labor trades, Goodwill, educators, and AGC met to discuss Michigan’s skilled labor shortage. A presentation highlighted the benefits of employing Justice-Involved Individuals.

September 16, 2025: The State Apprenticeship Expansion team attended the inaugural Women in Semiconductors program in Ann Arbor, highlighting SEMI SCAN customized training. The event focused on non-traditional entryways and strategies for recruiting talent into microelectronics careers.

September 16, 2025: The PROWD 2025 Grantee Annual Meeting featured grantee-led strategies, collaborative partnerships and lessons to shape the future of reentry and workforce development. Michigan’s MiCRI/PROWD initiative was represented.

September 19-21, 2025: The State Apprenticeship Expansion team attended the Trades Women Build Nations 2025 conference in Chicago. This large annual gathering celebrated sisterhood and opportunity in unionized building trades and focused on expanding Registered Apprenticeship access for women.

September 25, 2025: Local manufacturers showcased their products and sought skilled employees. The State Apprenticeship Expansion team networked with employers to promote Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, emphasizing the benefits of hiring Individuals who are prior justice system involvement.

Tune-Up Tips

Resources to help you get started in Registered Apprenticeship.

US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (USDOL OA)

The one-stop national source for connecting career seekers, employers, and education partners with national apprenticeship resources. Discover Registered Apprenticeships across industries, how programs are started by employers, and how to become an apprentice.

Michigan Works! Apprenticeship Success Coordinators

Contact your local Michigan Works! Apprenticeship Success Coordinator to assist your company with developing a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Registered Apprenticeship Interest Form

Want to learn more about Registered Apprenticeship? Please use the link to be contacted by a local Michigan Works! Apprenticeship Success Coordinator who can answer any questions you may have about RAPS.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigan’s vast pipeline of opportunities. LEO’s mission statement is to expand economic opportunity and prosperity for all.

Michigan State Approving Agency

Find information about employers, labor trades and training providers approved for veteran educational benefits through the GI Bill.

Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MiOSHA)

This website serves as a resource where employers can find preliminary information about MiOSHA reported fatalities, enabling them to build more hazard awareness and reduce the risk of similar workplace incidents.

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