Michigan and Texas Increase Support of Registered Apprenticeship

Michigan and Texas have both announced they will devote $1 million in funding to support Registered Apprenticeship. In Michigan, $1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to provide incentives for companies that sponsor new apprentices. Texas has announced that $1 million in Workforce Investment Act funding will be added to its Apprenticeship Training Program to help prepare Texas workers for occupations in high-demand skilled trades. Through the Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Pilot (MRAP), to be launched in August, employers will be able to use the funding to offset the cost of wages and to support related technical instruction provided to apprentices. Participants may also receive educational support amounting to $5,000 per year, for up to two years. Occupations supported by the Texas Workforce Commission Apprenticeship Training Program include carpenters, cement masons, electricians, engine maintenance mechanics, iron workers, millwrights, painters, plumber/pipefitters, and sheet metal workers. Click here to view the Michigan’s announcement or click here to view the Texas announcement.