Oakland County Partners with Oakland Community College to Highlight Critical Role of Classroom Instruction in Registered Apprenticeship Programs

• Classroom learning, commonly known as Related Technical Instruction (RTI), complements hands-on training in Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
• Customizable RTI is offered in person, online or hybrid to equip apprentices with technical knowledge, safety standards and industry compliance skills.
• More than 2,200 Registered Apprentices in 80-plus programs highlight expanding opportunities in fields ranging from skilled trades to healthcare, IT and professional services.

Pontiac, Mich. - Oakland County is partnering with Oakland Community College (OCC) to ensure critical classroom instruction is part of the professional journey of Registered Apprentices working in a variety of industries.

Related Technical Instruction (RTI) complements a Registered Apprentice's on-the-job training, accounting for hundreds of hours annually in structured classroom learning. RTI was the focus of a special Race to Talent™ Registered Apprenticeship Program event at OCC's campus in Auburn Hills, which drew more than 80 employers, labor organizations, community colleges and workforce development professionals from across the region and state.

In addition to technical skills development, RTI provides theoretical knowledge behind the occupations, industry standards and compliance information, and safety training. The customizable courses are designed to meet the specific needs of the employer and can be delivered in-person, online or in hybrid form.

"While on-the-job training is core to all Registered Apprenticeship Programs, customized classroom instruction is just as important to help build an apprentice's skillset," said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. "These programs are a key component of our strategy to build a highly skilled, competitive workforce, which is essential to Oakland County's long-term economic success."

Oakland County is currently home to more than 2,200 Registered Apprentices participating in more than 80 programs, according to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Registered Apprenticeship opportunities are available in construction and manufacturing, as well as healthcare, information technology, education and professional services.

"Registered Apprenticeship Programs are growing in popularity because more employers are realizing the model works for virtually any industry," said Oakland County Michigan Works! Business Services Professional Sarah Hug.

Oakland Community College provides classroom training for apprenticeships.

"OCC has long been committed to providing related instruction as well as connecting employers and students for apprenticeships," said Cameron Albring, OCC director of career services. "It's a commitment that benefits both Oakland County's business community and students."

Henry Ford Health, the largest healthcare provider in Southeast Michigan, launched multiple Registered Apprenticeship Programs to address a skilled worker shortage. There currently are 31 Registered Apprentices preparing to be certified nurse assistants, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and surgical and radiologic technologists.

"Related Technical Instruction is critical to our Registered Apprenticeship Program because our hiring managers know our apprentices who participate in classroom learning have the clinical skills needed and are learning the Henry Ford way," said Eleyna Montroy, manager of Clinical Care Services, Henry Ford Health.

FEV North America, located in Auburn Hills, is an engineering and digital mobility company that specializes in vehicle and powertrain technologies. There are five people participating in two Registered Apprenticeship Programs for welder-fitters and mechatronics technicians at the company.

"Our Registered Apprenticeship Programs with the skilled trades involve a lot of hands-on work, both at work and in the classroom," said Julie Brown, senior technical recruiter - human resources, FEV North America. "It's important for our apprentices to learn how to do things the right way and it's great knowing they will hit the ground running to be successful on the job."

During the Race to Talent™ event, Oakland County and OCC recognized several employers who have successful Registered Apprenticeship Programs and partner with community colleges and other instructional organizations for their RTI needs, including:

• Active Dynamics (Novi)
• AtomTech (Clarkston)
• Eaton Steel (Oak Park)
• General Motors Corporation
• Henry Ford Health
• Lee Machinery Movers (Pontiac)
• ProFil (Waterford)
• Systematic Manufacturing Inc. (Madison Heights)
• The Townsend Hotel (Birmingham)
• US Farathane (Auburn Hills)

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'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 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, through its Oakland80 initiative, 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.