Employers Partner with Oakland County Michigan Works! to Launch 51 Registered Apprenticeships Through MiSTAIRS Program

Pontiac, Mich. - Sixteen Oakland County employers have successfully launched 51 Registered Apprenticeships with support from the Michigan Statewide Targeted Apprenticeship Inclusion & Readiness System (MiSTAIRS). Each employer was recognized as a "Registered Apprenticeship Champion" during a ceremony hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works!

The two-year MiSTAIRS program, which concluded in June, was designed to help employers develop their own workforce pipelines. Apprentices received paid, on-the-job training paired with classroom instruction, leading to industry-recognized credentials.

"It's very gratifying to see a growing number of Oakland County employers address the shortage of skilled workers by launching their own apprenticeship programs," said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. "Not only are they providing valuable training that can lead to rewarding careers, but they're also cultivating loyalty and long-term employees."

Employers honored for their commitment to Registered Apprenticeships include:

• Brightstar Care (Bloomfield Hills) - In-home care and medical staffing provider
• Battle Alley Brewing (Holly) - Craft brewery and eatery
• CSM Mechanical (Milford) - HVAC, electrical, and mechanical contractor
• Dürr Systems (Southfield) - Paint finishing and assembly systems supplier
• Evosys Laser Welding (Rochester Hills) - Laser plastic welding provider
• FANUC (Rochester Hills) - Global robotics and CNC systems leader
• FEV North America (Auburn Hills) - Engineering services provider
• Geniuses on Board (Southfield) - Childcare center in Southfield City Center
• Humanetics (Farmington Hills) - Manufacturer of crash test dummies and systems
• Montessori of Rochester - Childcare provider
• New Gateways (Waterford) - Nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities
• Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (Pontiac) - Human services nonprofit
• State Electric (Holly) - Residential and commercial electrical contractor
• SW North America (New Hudson) - CNC machining and automation supplier
• Williams International (Pontiac) - Defense contractor specializing in turbine engines
• X-Cel Industries (Southfield) - Metal coating provider

Since 2019, SW North America has graduated eight Registered Apprentices from its mechatronics program through the German American Chamber's MAT2 initiative, all of whom remain employed full time. Each year, the company adds two new apprentices to maintain a steady pipeline of highly trained talent.

"In today's market, attracting individuals to pursue careers in the skilled trades has been a significant challenge," said Stacey Bryant, human resources manager for SW North America. "Having an educated workforce in a highly technical field is pivotal for the success and future of SW North America. Programs like this not only fill critical skills gaps but also demonstrate a long-term investment in workforce development."

Currently, Oakland County is home to 2,232 apprentices across 83 active Registered Apprenticeship Programs, according to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. While construction and manufacturing dominate, apprenticeship opportunities are also expanding into healthcare, IT, education, accounting and professional services.

Employers interested in launching a Registered Apprenticeship Program may contact Liz Rivard-Weston, Oakland County Michigan Works! apprenticeship success coordinator, at [email protected].

About Oakland County Michigan Works!

Oakland County Michigan Works! operates centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford, where they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information. The centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking help with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.

Staff also work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule an appointment, call 248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you. The centers host several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found at OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.

About Registered Apprenticeship in Michigan

Boosting awareness of Registered Apprenticeship represents part of Labor and Economic Opportunity overall efforts to expand the talent pool and match employers with qualified employees to grow and sustain a vibrant economy. That effort strengthens Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Sixty by 30 initiative to have 60 percent of Michigan's working adults with a skills certificate or postsecondary degree by 2030. Oakland County has a goal of having 80 percent of eligible adults secure a college degree or skills certification by 2030. For more information on Registered Apprenticeship in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.