National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) continues to celebrate and showcase the success and value of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in America. From November 14 through 20, 2022 educators, employers, and apprentices will showcase and present how apprenticeships have helped rebuild the economy, advance racial and gender equity, and support underserved communities.
In early November, Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) and Oakland Community College proclaimed National Apprenticeship Week in Michigan. This year marks the 85th anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Act, better known as the “Fitzgerald Act,” which established the Registered Apprenticeship system in 1937.
Photo courtesy of the White House
This monumental anniversary kicked off, in July of 2022, when the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) awarded 205 organizations to the first cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors, thirteen of which were based in Michigan. The Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative seeks to create a national network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, program sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, minority-serving organizations, community-based organizations, and stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding and diversifying Registered Apprenticeships.
On September 1, 2022, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and the initial cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors to Washington DC to discuss ways to expand apprenticeships and promote the benefits of numerous industries. Apprenticeship Manager, Wanda Bigelow of GST Michigan Works!, one of seventeen WIN board of director organizations, was in attendance during this special invitation.
Photo courtesy of the White House
Bigelow remembers her trip to Washington DC as a compelling opportunity. She stated, “What was so exciting about the event was being with a group of individuals who have the same goals as GST Michigan Works!.”
She recalls how she often speaks with WIN staff about Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) but having 30+ people come together to share the same goals was what made it so impactful.
After her trip, Bigelow expressed how this opportunity ignited the work she is already doing in the GST Michigan Works! apprenticeship intermediary.
“I have a true passion for growing apprenticeship programs and the apprenticeship ambassador program embraces that,” said Bigelow, “My goal is to beat all our outcomes and continue building non-traditional apprenticeship programs while reaching all underserved populations and building quality partnerships with community members and training providers.”
One local southeast Michigan non-profit is also working to facilitate change and advance the lives of marginalized women, by enabling them to meet essential needs.
“We offer apprenticeship opportunities for women with low literacy levels and limited English proficiency,” said Gigi Salka, Chief Workforce Officer of Zaman International. “Our average family is a single mom with 2.5 kids, living under $12k a year, these families are in dire situations.”
Photo courtesy of Zaman International
Zaman International is currently expanding its workforce development program to provide students with apprenticeships and employment opportunities onsite. With help from WIN, Michigan Works! Southeast and SEMCA, Zaman International was able to create a RAP and tailor its programs to their client and needs. An in-house Industrial Sewing Center and Workforce Development Kitchen, provide a safe, secure environment to prepare clients for sustainable work outside of Zaman. The local non-profit organization has big plans to grow apprenticeships to serve the community.
Photo courtesy of Zaman International
“The best way to break the cycle of poverty is through sustainable employment. Apprenticeships fit into our mission, of providing on-the-job training onsite to help our clients,” said Salka. “We’re creating apprenticeships for our community needs.”
To learn more about Zaman’s apprenticeship programs, or how to start your own apprenticeship program, the public and employers are invited to attend an Apprenticeship Open Hours during #NAW2022 on Thursday, November 17 from 10 am – 12 pm at 26091 Trowbridge St, Inkster, Michigan 48141.
WIN, and its board, are celebrating and demystifying apprenticeships by hosting over 20 events, for #NAW2022. All are welcome to attend the following (unless noted):
Pre NAW
Pre-Apprenticeship Program Information Session
Thursday, November 10 at Macomb Community College
6:00 – 7:00 pm
14500 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren, Michigan 48088
MONDAY, November 14
All Things Apprenticeship! Monroe County Community College Edition
CTC Building Monroe County Community College
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
1555 S. Raisinville Rd. Monroe, MI 48161
Apprenticeship Works! Grand Opening
Michigan Works! Southeast Jackson Service Center
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
209 E. Washington Avenue, Ste. 100, Jackson, Michigan 49201
The Benefits & Perks of Apprenticeships
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
11:30 – 3:00 pm
1358 Abbott St., Detroit, Michigan 48226
TUESDAY, November 15
Apprenticeship Works! Grand Opening
Michigan Works! Southeast Lenawee Service Center
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
1040 South Winter St. Ste 1014, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Launching A Registered Apprenticeship Program
Oakland County Executive Office Building
9:00 – 11:00 am
41W 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford MI 48328
Virtual Apprenticeship Information Session
Virtual, Washtenaw Community College
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Registration link: https://bit.ly/3G50Ve4
Apprenticeship Information Table at Campus Explore Event
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Washtenaw Community College
Student Center Atrium, second floor
WEDNESDAY, November 16
Registered Apprenticeship Information Session
Schoolcraft College
8:30 – 10:30 am
13001 Merriman Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48150
Explore Apprenticeship at WCC
Washtenaw Community College
9:00 – 11:00 am
4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105-4800
Registered Apprenticeship Virtual Lunch and Learn
Virtual, Michigan Works! Southeast (Collaboration with Michigan Works! Northwest)
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
RSVP to Marie.Whitney@networksnorthwest.org to receive the Zoom link
Apprenticeship & Veterans Virtual Job & Career Fair
Virtual, SEMCA
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Register at semcamiworks.org/job-seekers/virtual-job-fair/
Apprentices and Employers Celebration Day (Private event)
Oakland Community College
Demystifying Apprenticeships
Henry Ford College
5:30 – 8:00 pm
5101 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48128
THURSDAY, November 17
National Apprenticeship Week Advisory Panel For Employers
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
8:30 – 10:30 am
21885 Dunham Rd, Clinton Township, Michigan 48036
Women in Apprenticeships
Mott Community College
9:00 – 11:00 am
1401 E. Court St., Flint, Michigan 48503
Public Sector Apprenticeships: Take Control of Building Your Future Workforce
Oakland County Michigan Works!
9:00 – 10:30 am
2100 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford, Michigan 48328
Apprenticeship Works! Grand Opening
Michigan Works! Southeast Livingston Service Center
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
1200 Byron Road, Howell, Michigan 48843
Apprenticeship Open House
Zaman International
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
26091 Trowbridge St, Inkster, Michigan 48141
Skilled Trades and Manufacturing Pre-apprenticeship Program Information Session
Oakland Community College
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
2900 Featherstone, T Bldg., Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
Gearing Up For Apprenticeships with Going Pro Talent Fund
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
115 Erskin St., Detroit, Michigan 48202
Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program Information Session
Oakland Community College, Highland Lakes Campus
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
7350 Cooley Lake Rd. Room LH 401, Waterford, Michigan 48327
Virtual Apprenticeship Information Session
Virtual, Washtenaw Community College
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Registration link: https://bit.ly/3WRsYE4
FRIDAY, November 18
Apprenticeship Works! Grand Opening
Michigan Works! Southeast Hillsdale Service Center
9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the
21 Care Drive, Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
Focus on Apprenticeship & Employer Solutions
Virtual
10:00 – 11:30 am
Register at semcamiworks.org/em-event/focus-on-apprenticeships-employer-solutions/
POST NAW
Oakland Community College and Iron Workers Local 25 Articulation Signing Ceremony (Private event)
Monday, November 21
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Oakland Community College
To view a complete list of all NAW events, please visit apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week.
ABOUT WORKFORCE INTELLIGENCE NETWORK FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (WIN)
The Workforce Intelligence Network for southeast Michigan (WIN) is a collaborative effort between ten community colleges and seven Michigan Works! Agencies, in partnership with numerous other organizations, to create a comprehensive and cohesive workforce development organization in southeast Michigan providing employers with the talent they need for success. WIN covers a 19-county area, including Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne. WIN was founded with the support of the New Economy Initiative for southeast Michigan and celebrated 10 years of research, engagements, and solutions in August of 2021. For additional information about WIN visit winintelligence.org/about-us/.
Read more about the author Alysha Albrecht by clicking here.