Detroit, Michigan – Four Detroit-based employers were recently honored for their exceptional dedication to worker development through Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The honors were presented on April 30 during an event held at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, where employers, workforce leaders, and government officials gathered to highlight the growing role of apprenticeships in building Michigan’s talent pipeline.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), in cooperation with Detroit at Work and the U.S. Department of Labor, sponsored the “Race to Talent” event, whose ceremony came after a panel discussion. The event sought to inspire more local companies to implement apprenticeship programs to solve labor shortages and provide workers with in-demand skills.
Honored for their effective utilization of Registered Apprenticeship Programs to teach employees were Detroit Home Builders LLC, Michigan Tech and Trades Institute, Champ Construction LLC, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. These programs result in nationally recognized certificates from organized, hands-on practice coupled with classroom education.
Dana Williams, President of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, hosted the discussion and underlined the benefits apprenticeship programs provide to both employees and companies.
“Every year, we work with dozens of Detroit employers who are already seeing the benefits of a Registered Apprenticeship program,” said Williams. “Detroiters at businesses serving a wide range of industries have been able to consistently grow their careers and income by following an apprenticeship track.”
Leaders from every group on the panel shared their own experiences and success stories. Executive Director of the Michigan Tech and Trades Institute Shawna J. Forbes called apprenticeships an investment in society.
“Through apprenticeship training, we invest in a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, and prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” said Shawna J. Forbes. “We are building stronger communities by passing down knowledge, creating careers, and opening doors for future generations.”
Leah Gordon, who serves as the Statewide Community Relations Director for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, highlighted the deeper value of apprenticeships.
“At the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, we believe apprenticeships are more than just a pathway to a paycheck—they are a gateway to generational opportunity,” she said.
The ceremony also underlined the state’s continuous dedication to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “Sixty by 30” objective—an effort seeking for 60% of Michigan adults to possess a skills certificate or degree by 2030. Registered Apprenticeship, according to Stephanie Beckhorn, the director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training, is a major component of that initiative. She said that it’s one of the most efficient ways to acquire pertinent skills without incurring student debt.
Employers and jobseekers interested in learning more about Registered Apprenticeships in Michigan are encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/apprenticeship or contact Detroit at Work for guidance on getting started.
More details about the event are available here.