MGCA Awarded $543,000 Grant to Expand Registered Apprenticeship Program

LANSING, MI—Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced Friday nine recipients of more than $6.1 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 Grant Program awards that will provide Michiganders with access to life-changing career opportunities through Registered Apprenticeships.

The funding will help future apprentices prepare and succeed in the program, while promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility by expanding 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," said Governor Whitmer. "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. Together, we will continue funding more low-cost paths to higher education and with the Michigan Guarantee, we can offer every high school graduate the chance to earn an associate's degree or skills certificate at a community college for free. Let's get it done."

The grant program is focused on engaging Michiganders most severely impacted by COVID-19, including women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, English language learners and individuals without a High School Equivalency credential. Registered Apprenticeship participants earn competitive wages with scheduled pay increases and national industry recognized credentials. 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," said LEO Director Susan Corbin. "This is yet another important investment that helps level the playing field and supports those least often included in the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship, helping us deliver on our mission to close equity gaps, remove barriers, and help people on their pathway to economic prosperity."

State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 Grant Program Recipients

Child Care Network
Ann Arbor
$722,700

Michigan Golf Course Association 
East Lansing 
$543,000

Michigan Primary Care Association
Lansing
$577,581

Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren
$1,000,000

Michigan Works! Southwest
$500,000

Northwest Michigan Works!
$1,000,000

Oakland County Michigan Works!
$500,000

Steepletown
Grand Rapids
$796,243

Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
$500,000

TOTAL: $6,139,524

"Registered Apprenticeship is a proven training model and has been an important tool in helping Michiganders secure prosperous economic futures for themselves and their families," said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO's Office of Employment and Training. "There's a place for everyone at the table of Registered Apprenticeship. By prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, the State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 Grant Program will help welcome many more to the table."

Grant recipients will work to establish new or expand existing U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs and related apprenticeship readiness solutions, including quality pre-apprenticeship programs, to ensure State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 performance targets are achieved.

The Michigan Golf Course Association, established a Registered Apprenticeship Golf Course Maintenance Technician Program in 2022. The innovative program enables Registered Apprentices to further their agronomy education, work alongside field experts to gain on-the-job learning, and gain a national credential. The program is a proven talent pipeline solution to support Michigan's $4 billion golf industry that includes nearly 800 golf courses and 60,000 workers.

"The Michigan Golf Course Association knows how important golf is to Michiganders and tourists," said Jada Paisley, Executive Director of the Michigan Golf Course Association. "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. This Registered Apprenticeship program opens the door to help golf courses increase their workforce and offer advanced career opportunities."

Registered Apprenticeship results in a national, industry-recognized credential upon completion, supporting Governor Whitmer's Sixty by 30 goal to increase the number of working-age adults in the state with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by the year 2030.

To learn more about Registered Apprenticeship, visit michigan.org.

About Michigan Golf Course Association
As the "Voice of Michigan Golf Business" the MGCA mission statement is to promote and preserve the best interest of the Michigan golf industry. MGCA members are owners and operators of golf courses in Michigan.

Media Contact
Jada Paisley, Executive Director
Michigan Golf Course Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
517-285-4195