DETROIT, Mich. — Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II joined the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) for a signing ceremony to celebrate the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, the Michigan Statewide Carpenters and Millwrights Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund, Monroe County Community College and other building trade unions and community colleges awarding college credit to workers who complete building trades Registered Apprenticeship programs through LEO’s recently launched Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program.
“The College Credit for Apprenticeships Program is helping people make it in Michigan,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “Through this program, Michiganders can pursue both an apprenticeship and a college degree. I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken to build a stronger workforce and prepare people for brighter futures. Together, we are giving every Michigander an opportunity at achieving health and wealth.”
The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program was launched in partnership with the state’s Skilled Building Trades Unions, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) and the Michigan Workforce Development Board to award college credit for the rigorous on-the-job learning that occurs through registered apprenticeship training.
“We’re excited to welcome more labor unions and community colleges to our Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program, helping more trades workers earn college credit without having to start from scratch – providing increased career flexibility and earning power,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin.
The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program strengthens pathways for trades workers at any stage in their career to learn new technologies, start their own business, move into project management, pursue union leadership and more. In many cases, apprenticeship completers will only need to take a semester of community college courses to finish an associate’s degree.
“The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program recognizes learning wherever it happens and connects more residents to high-wage, family-sustaining careers — a win for Michigan workers and employers,” said Michigan Workforce Development Board Executive Director & LEO Chief of Staff Jessica Brousseau. “The Michigan Workforce Development Board and LEO, in collaboration with our valued state, labor and higher education partners, are proud to have championed this effort and look forward to the program continuing to expand.”
To date, 11 Skilled Building Trade Unions have signed up to participate in the program and have either completed or are undergoing the curriculum evaluation process to determine credit transfer totals, including:
- International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW),
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART),
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (Boilermakers),
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW),
- International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC),
- International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE),
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT),
- Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA),
- Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA),
- Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters (Carpenters/Millwrights), and
- United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers (Roofers).
“The Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to lead the way to ensure Carpenters and Millwrights across the state can build on their best-in-class apprenticeship training and continue their education at their local community college,” said Mike Jackson Jr., Trustee of Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters Union. “I know this program will create new pipelines into union leadership, project management and other opportunities, and we are excited to extend this opportunity to our members.”
Twenty-six of Michigan’s public and tribal community colleges have agreed to accept Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships credits. The colleges listed below have completed the final step to make those credits available and are ready to enroll Carpenters and Millwrights members today.
- Bay de Noc Community College
- Glen Oaks Community College
- Henry Ford College
- Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Lansing Community College
- Macomb Community College
- Monroe County Community College
- Mott Community College
- North Central Michigan College
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Oakland Community College
- Schoolcraft College
- St. Clair County Community College
“Strong partnerships between Michigan’s community colleges and the skilled trades are creating new opportunities for apprentices to earn college credit for the knowledge and skills they gain on the job,” said President of the Michigan Community College Association Brandy Johnson. “The Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program helps apprentices build on their training, advance toward a degree or credential and meet the workforce needs of employers across Michigan. We are pleased to celebrate the partnership between the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, the Michigan Statewide Carpenters and Millwrights Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund and Michigan’s community colleges.”
“Monroe County Community College and community colleges across the state are delivering high-quality, affordable education for Michiganders,” said Dr. Kojo Quartey, President of Monroe County Community College. “Awarding college credit for registered apprenticeships is one more avenue to help Michiganders advance their careers, and we are proud to help Trades workers in our community pursue additional education through this initiative.”
“Michigan’s workforce is strengthened when students receive full recognition of the skills they gain through registered apprenticeships,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, executive director of MiLEAP. “By turning apprenticeship experience into college credit, this partnership gives apprentices more options to earn a degree, pursue leadership opportunities and continue advancing in their careers. This program is a powerful example of how education and workforce partners can work together to create more flexible pathways to lifelong success.”
As more trades complete their curriculum evaluations and community colleges finalize their credit mapping, the list of participating institutions will continue to grow.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/CollegeCreditApprenticeships.
