Leaders from across Michigan鈥檚 education, labor, and workforce development sectors gathered today at 海角视频 for a landmark event signaling a major step forward in aligning union apprenticeship programs with higher education.
The signing of the Upper Peninsula Articulation Agreement marks a first-of-its-kind effort to award advanced college credit for registered apprentices in the union construction trades.
The agreement, formally signed during a press conference at 海角视频, sets a new standard for recognizing the rigor and relevance of U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship programs. Under the terms of the agreement, apprentices who have completed a registered program will receive advanced standing toward an associate degree from 海角视频鈥攍eaving only 15 general education credits to complete.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement is about recognizing the value of the skills and training that union apprentices bring to the table,鈥� said Dr. Nerita Hughes, president of 海角视频. 鈥淭his agreement provides a meaningful bridge between hands-on career training and academic achievement.鈥�
The event builds on work initiated in 2024 by the Upper Peninsula Construction Council (UPCC) and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council (MBCTC), in partnership with the Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, Inc. (MASCI).
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to partner with 海角视频 on this groundbreaking agreement to offer college credit for apprenticeship programs,鈥� said Susan Corbin, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) director. 鈥淯nion apprenticeship training delivers top-tier education, and our apprentices put in tremendous effort to complete these rigorous programs. It鈥檚 only right that their hard work and learning are recognized through college credit.鈥�
Corbin said this effort will help more people access good-paying careers 鈥� especially in the union building trades 鈥� while also giving employers the skilled talent they need to succeed.
鈥淲ith 45,000 openings projected in the professional trades by 2030, expanding access to both training and college credit is the right move for Michigan鈥檚 future,鈥� Corbin added.
Marty Fittante, CEO of Invest UP, noted the long-term economic impact of the agreement.
鈥淭his is a smart investment in the UP鈥檚 future,鈥� Fittante said. 鈥淚t strengthens our talent pipeline, gives working adults new tools to advance their careers, and supports the kind of innovation and collaboration that keeps our region competitive.鈥�
Fittante also highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships in making the agreement possible.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a testament to what we can accomplish when educators, unions, and policymakers work together,鈥� Fittante said. 鈥淚 hope this becomes a model for the rest of the state.鈥�
Mike Smith, UPCC executive director, underscored the role of the skilled trades in shaping the U.P.鈥檚 future.
鈥淭his agreement puts in writing what we鈥檝e long known on the jobsite鈥攗nion apprenticeship is rigorous, high-level training,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淥ur members earn while they learn, and now they鈥檒l earn college credit, too. That鈥檚 a win for workers, for employers, and for our whole region.鈥�
Other speakers included MBCTC President Steve Claywell, who said the agreement 鈥渇inally gives formal recognition to the kind of high-level training our members go through every day. It鈥檚 not just job training鈥攊t鈥檚 education, and now it鈥檚 being treated that way.鈥�
The UP Articulation Agreement reflects a growing movement to formally integrate industry-driven training programs into the state鈥檚 higher education framework, providing skilled tradespeople with new opportunities to earn degrees, advance their careers, and continue their education without duplication of effort or cost.
A buffet lunch and networking session followed the press conference, giving attendees the opportunity to discuss next steps and future expansion of the initiative.
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