TRAVERSE CITY, MI— Northern Michigan employers received special recognition from federal and state officials at an Apprenticeship Launch Network celebratory signing event on August 2 in Traverse City. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship and the recognized nine registered apprenticeship employers at the event.
Employers participating in the event included SEEDS, Left Foot Charley, Wolf Line Construction, Manthei, CBS Solar, Thirlby Clinic, Kilwins, E-Fulfillment and the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department. Educational partners including Northwest Education Services, Northwestern Michigan College, and VESTA were also present during the apprenticeship registration event.
“Wolf Line Construction (WLC) has worked for several years with Northwest Michigan Works! to help design and implement apprenticeship programs that support the deployment of broadband networks in rural Michigan,” said Colin Garner, Vice President, Wolf Line Construction. “Our second apprenticeship program, Broadband Technician, was formally signed and approved at the signing event. WLC is proud to roll this new apprenticeship program out within our company and share it with other utilities across the country. We are looking forward to developing a skilled workforce of Broadband Technicians that can help bridge the digital divide and bring broadband services to rural communities.”
“Being a part of the apprenticeship signing ceremony with the U.S. Department of Labor, State of Michigan and Northwest Michigan Works! is incredibly important and a gift,” said Ryan Buck, SEEDS Senior Philanthropy Officer. “We appreciate the kindness, enthusiasm, and advocacy for us. The added recognition for our youth apprentice, Larisa, was even more special.”
"I greatly appreciate the opportunity of working with SEEDS and Northwest Michigan Works! in the registered apprenticeship program," said Larisa Stone, SEEDS carpenter apprentice.
Northwest Michigan Works! has the largest apprenticeship intermediary group program in the State of Michigan and was recognized for their sponsorship of 65 different occupational titles, 140 registered apprentices, and over 120 different educational resources serving employers throughout the region.
"It is inspiring to see the growth of registered apprenticeships in our 10-county region and across the State of Michigan,” said Evelyn Szpliet, Northwest Michigan Works! Regional Director of Apprenticeship Services. “It was an honor for Northwest Michigan Works! to be recognized both on the state and national level for the continued expansion of U.S. DOL registered apprenticeship as a respected employer sponsor for all types of industries and organizations,”
Northwest Michigan Works! is a registered USDOL apprenticeship intermediary and sponsor. Northwest Michigan Works! helps employers develop, implement and manage registered apprenticeships specific to their industry. Registered Apprenticeship is a proven training method for businesses to build a talent pipeline of highly skilled, educated workers.
