Michigan gives $6M in apprenticeship grants

(The Center Square) – The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced nine recipients of $6.1 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 Grant Program awards.

The funding will help expand access to Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in non-traditional sectors and occupations.

“The State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 Grant Program will create more paths to good-paying, high-skill jobs for Michiganders, so they can ‘make it’ in Michigan,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “Registered Apprenticeships offer practical, hands-on training to help Michiganders develop in-demand skills and ensure businesses have the talent they need to expand right here in Michigan.”

The labor agency says the median annual earnings for those completing a Registered Apprenticeship Program are currently more than $70,000.

“In Michigan, we’re creating an all-access approach by empowering Michiganders to build meaningful careers, and helping businesses grow with access to a skilled workforce,” LEO Director Susan Corbin said in a statement.

More than half of the funds, or $3.5 million, goes to local government Michigan Works programs. The recipients and amounts are:

• Michigan Works in Berrian, Cass, and Van Buren Counties: $1 million.

• Northwest Michigan Works in the counties of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford: $1 million.

• Steepletown in Grand Rapids: $796,243.

• Child Care Network in Ann Arbor: $722,700.

• Michigan Primary Care Association in Lansing: $577,581.

• Michigan Golf Course Association in East Lansing: $543,000.

• Michigan Works Southwest in Branch, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and St. Joseph Counties: $500,000.

• Michigan Works in Oakland County: $500,000.

• Michigan Works in Upper Peninsula: $500,000.

Grant recipients will establish U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

One of the grant recipients, the Michigan Golf Course Association, established the golf course maintenance technician program in 2022. Participants can further their agronomy education, work alongside field experts to gain on-the-job learning, and gain a national credential.

“The Michigan Golf Course Association knows how important golf is to Michiganders and tourists,” executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Association Jada Paisley said in a statement. “To keep our courses in top-notch condition, we must get more people involved in the art and science of agronomy to consider job opportunities at golf courses.”

The nonprofit Steepletown helps struggling adults ages 18-34 get jobs around Grand Rapids.

“The State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 grant will allow us to continue to innovate and work closely with cross-sector partners to reach underrepresented communities who are vital to Michigan’s continued economic growth,” Steepletown Executive Director Dick Bulkowski said in a statement.