Detroit employers recognized as “Champions” for using Registered Apprenticeship Programs to train workers

• Local businesses joined state and federal officials to promote apprenticeships for employers, workers and the economy

Four Detroit employers earned honors April 30 in a ceremony following a discussion at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, aimed at recruiting more area businesses to offer Registered Apprenticeships to build the local talent pipeline.

Detroit Home Builders LLC, Michigan Tech and Trades Institute, Champ Construction, and Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights were all honored as part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) 'Race to Talent' event, hosted locally by City of Detroit Workforce system ‘Detroit at Work’ in conjunction with LEO and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

“Every year, we work with dozens of Detroit employers who are already seeing the benefits of a Registered Apprenticeship program,” said Dana Williams, President of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, who moderated the panel. “Detroiters at businesses serving a wide range of industries have been able to consistently grow their careers and income by following an apprenticeship track.”

The event highlighted the vast benefits of Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for employers and jobseekers, and included representatives from LEO, federal labor and workforce development experts, and Detroit business leaders and employers.

Officials shared valuable information about the supports available for local businesses to establish new or participate in existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Panelists included Shawna J. Forbes, Executive Director for Michigan Tech and Trades Institute, Sean T. Phillips, Founder & CEO of Champ Construction LLC., Jennifer Tucker, Workforce Business Liaison for Southeast Michigan Community Alliance, and Leah Gordon, Statewide Community Relations Director for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights.

"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."

Before being honored, the spotlighted employers participated in a panel discussion among area employers and state and federal workforce development leaders to talk about their experiences and the advantages of Registered Apprenticeships.

"At Champ, 'can’t' isn’t in our vocabulary,” said Sean T. Phillips, CEO of Champ Construction. “We push our DOL Registered Apprentices to rise, hustle, focus and achieve; because when we focus on what can be done, there's no limit. We're building skilled careers, strong families and a future that works."

Opportunities created through Registered Apprenticeship are available through a variety of fields deemed crucial to Michigan’s future, including construction, energy, health care, information technology, manufacturing and mobility.

"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,” said Statewide Community Relations Director, Leah Gordon. “Through hands-on training, mentorship, and access to high-demand careers, our apprenticeship programs empower individuals to build stable futures while strengthening the communities we serve across Michigan."

Boosting awareness of Registered Apprenticeship represents part of LEO’s overall efforts to expand the talent pool and match employers with qualified employees to grow and sustain a vibrant economy. That effort strengthens Governor Whitmer’s 'Sixty by 30' initiative to have 60% of Michigan’s working adults with a skills certificate or postsecondary degree by 2030.

"We are committed to ensuring Michiganders have access to the training and opportunities that lead to good-paying, in-demand jobs,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training. “Expanding access to the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship is a critical part of that mission. Through programs that offer on-the-job learning paired with classroom instruction, individuals can acquire skills in high-demand fields while avoiding or minimizing student debt – and Michigan’s businesses gain a talented, well-trained workforce to drive their success.”

Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career training model in which employers develop and prepare Michigan’s future workforce. Apprentices gain paid work experience, related classroom instruction and a national industry-recognized credential upon program completion.

“Whether an employer is looking to attract top talent, grow their current team, or retain best practices while braiding updated technology – registered apprenticeship is a Win-Win for all involved,” said Jennifer Tucker, Workforce Business Liaison for Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA). “We know many industries are seeing experienced, skilled workers transition in time. One way to help retain institutional knowledge and build a secure foundation for a lasting result is found in the apprenticeship model. Blending both history and innovation to create the strongest future for everyone.”

For more information on Registered Apprenticeship in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.
Local businesses interested in learning more about the support available to start or participate in an existing Registered Apprenticeship Program should contact Dr. Phillip Caldwell, Director of Education and Training at Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (descmiworks.org).

About Detroit at Work
Detroit at Work is a system powered by Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, a Michigan Works agency charged with implementing the vision of the Mayor of Detroit’s Workforce Development Board.

A proud partner of the American Job Center network, Detroit at Work is the City of Detroit’s workforce development ecosystem that works to strengthen Detroit’s talent pool, create career opportunities for Detroiters at all levels of education, experience and skills, and give employers access to a demand-driven talent pipeline. In particular, Detroit at Work considers the needs of the disability community and those individuals who do not have English as their first language as key groups in our priority of service commitment.

Detroit at Work offers residents and employers a centralized location for all workforce development resources, including a career center network, recruitment services, workforce insights, training programs and strategic partnerships. 

The Detroit at Work website at detroitatwork.com is a centralized online portal sharing information with Detroiters to help them find employment, advance their career through training, or access a range of supportive services. Jobseekers can also reach out for support via the Detroit at Work call center at (313) 962-WORK (9675) or via TTY Number 711.

Employers can partner with Detroit at Work to recruit, train, and retain qualified residents for open positions.