The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has released a new report that ranks Michigan as number one nationally when it comes to helping adult workers achieve new credentials.
The 2024 Employment and Training Annual Report outlines workforce training programs around the state, which LEO says served more than 346,000 individuals and 7,928 Michigan businesses last year. Among the organizations contributing to those numbers is Michigan Works Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. Vice President of Workforce Development Paul Kirk tells us the state really does offer robust support for training programs.
“We’re all trying to do more, faster for our communities, but the state has done a really good job at hearing our employers’ needs and helping to shape some of the programming, the training, and opportunities to upskill or attract new workers to our area,” Kirk said.
Kirk says Michigan Works in Southwest Michigan served 69 employers in 2024, securing $4.6 million in Going PRO funds for training. Not only that, but he says the team also secured $6.8 million to help 891 workers enter apprenticeships.
“There’s a real shift right now back to that apprenticeship model. The retention level is remarkable for those who are in apprenticeship programming. We’re looking at 97% retention at the end of year one of an apprenticeship.”
Kirk says those apprenticeships aren’t just for young people, either. He says workers of all ages have opted to start a new career by going that route.
Kirk tells us having a skilled workforce is critical to growing the economy, and he calls it a huge achievement for Michigan to be ranked number one in the professional certification of adult workers.
