Downriver Today

The Michigan State AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute will be given $8 million from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to back a state program that links unemployed citizens with work.

Michigan’s Pre-Apprenticeship "Ready for Construction" (MiSPARC) program sets to find work for 640 unemployed citizens with the needed skills in the construction and industry sector with priority given to citizens of the state who have been under-served.

 "The 'Ready for Construction' program puts Michiganders first by providing a path to high-paying jobs in construction, an industry critical to our state's infrastructure," Whitmer said. "It helps expand and diversify our state's talent pool and opens the door to meaningful opportunities that will have a real impact on Michigan workers, families, businesses and communities."

According to a news release, the program will raise workforce that would be ready to enter the construction industry, and the LEO has been granted over $27 million from the U.S. Department of Labor towards the state’s apprenticeship endeavors.

Skills will be taught by the program to grow the numbers in the construction sector to narrow the talent gap and facilitate Michigan's infrastructure progress and economic growth.

"Registered Apprenticeship has been an important tool in helping prepare Michiganders to enter in-demand, high-wage careers," said LEO's Office of Employment and Training Director Stephanie Beckhorn. "We've identified Apprenticeship Readiness programming and pre-apprenticeship training as critical success factors, and MiSPARC will help us meet the training needs that will lead to success for our state's residents and businesses."

CEO of Michigan Workforce Development Institute Cheryl Sanford added that the state is currently working on infrastructure structures while training the next generation of the workforce to meet the needs of the future.  

"This funding will allow us to greatly expand our pre-apprenticeship training programs, preparing more Michiganders to enter high-demand careers in the building and construction trades,” Sanford said.