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Michigan leads Midwest in total registered apprenticeship programs

Posted at 1:19 PM, Nov 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-12 15:10:33-05

(WXYZ) — Michigan is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week from Nov. 11 through Nov. 17.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity says that apprenticeships play a vital role in filling careers in fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing and information technology.

National Apprenticeship Week highlights the values of apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeships are a pathway to great jobs in Michigan, and an opportunity to earn a good wage without significant tuition debt,” Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio said in a news release.

The state is ranked fourth in the country for total number of new registered apprenticeships and is ranked the highest in the Midwest.

“Michigan has nearly 21,000 registered apprentices in more than 1,000 apprenticeship programs across the state,” Stephanie Beckhorn, director of Workforce Development for Labor and Economic Opportunity said in a news release. “With more than 545,000 openings to fill through 2026 in high-demand Professional Trades careers, apprenticeships are a low-cost educational pathway to a great career. These are opportunities for all Michigan residents, and a great investment for employers—it’s a win-win for businesses and job seekers alike.”

More than 50 events are planned during the week to highlight apprenticeships and share information on programs at colleges and other training centers. For a full list of events, click here.