Monroe County Community College will host a registered apprenticeship program information session in conjunction with SEMCA Michigan Works on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. in the La-Z-Boy Center on MCCC’s main campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe, Michigan.
The event is free and open to all businesses and in the region who have an interest in establishing or growing a registered apprenticeship program. “Why You Should Consider a Registered Apprenticeship Program” is being held in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week being celebrated November 15 – 21.
Registration for the event can be made at https://www.semca.org/employers/apprenticeship/naw-2021-event-registration/.
Dr. Kojo Quartey, president of MCCC will welcome participants to the November 18 event. SEMCA’s chief operating officer, Kate Brady-Medley will serve as the keynote speaker that will be followed by a panel discussion on a variety of topics including existing programs in place, college curriculum, employer experience, how to start and maintain and apprenticeship program and available grant funding for sponsors.
Panel participants include Parmeshwar “Peter” Coomar, dean of the MCCC Applied Science and Engineering Technology Division; Chelsea Lantto, president of Trenton Forging; Donna Moser, management systems facilitator, Gerdau; Lori Spicer, talent development coordinator, SEMCA; Marc DeCoster, apprenticeship and training representative, US Department of Labor / Office of Apprenticeship; Janene Erne, regional apprenticeship administrator, Workforce Intelligence Network; and Kristina Henry, experiential learning coordinator at MCCC.
According to Henry, a registered apprenticeship is a work-based learning and training opportunity that allows students to gain the requirements necessary and meets the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship standard.
Henry works with employers and union sponsors to create appropriate training plans and courses that meet the sponsors needs for employees and MCCC students. “Sponsors get the highly skilled workforce they need, students receive the training they need for great paying, technical jobs,” said Henry, “and often students use an apprenticeship as an opportunity to take a few more additional courses to complete a certificate or degree from MCCC.”
Currently, MCCC is partnering with 15 sponsoring employers that have chosen to send their apprentices to the college for technical instruction for the Fall 2021 semester. For more information about MCCC’s apprenticeship offerings visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/programs/apprenticeship-programs.