Empowering High School Students with Paid Apprenticeships
Do you agree that high school students deserve a career they love without going into debt? Our president, Tim Tate, thinks so—and we do, too. Tim is part of a group leading a solution through the “Berrien Talent Collaborative.” This initiative is helping students gain real-world experience while getting paid to attend school. Specifically, they are achieving this by creating a talent supply chain through registered apprenticeships, including the Lake Michigan College apprenticeship program.
In fact, Tim has personally experienced the benefits of these opportunities. “Lake Michigan College taught me how to be an apprentice,” he says. “Kids who don’t know what they want to do—those are the kids we want… The ones who think, ‘I want to fix stuff.’ We’re excited about this opportunity and thrilled to be a part of it.”
Moreover, the Collaborative is a partnership between Berrien RESA, Lake Michigan College, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce. This employer-led initiative merges the area’s education and job development resources to create a continuous pool of skilled workers through programs like the Lake Michigan College apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships are available now!
We stand fully committed to this mission and put those words into action. Currently, Edgewater sponsors 14 full-time apprentices who are actively building their careers, earning a paycheck, and attending school on us. This benefits everyone involved.
If you know a high school student who might be interested, share these facts with them:
- There are 2,600 job opportunities in Berrien County. (W.E. Upjohn Institute, 2023)
- Of the total U.S. workforce, only 30% of jobs require a 4-year degree.
- Getting a traditional degree is not for everyone. It can be expensive and overwhelming.
- Consider participating in a registered apprenticeship while in high school.
Additionally, big thanks goes to State Representative Joey Andrews IV and the State of Michigan for the $500,000 investment from the state to help kick-start increased apprenticeships and for their ongoing support of students and their contribution to the Michigan economy.
Key organizations supporting this partnership include Michigan Works! Association, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Southwestern Michigan College, Lake Michigan College, Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce, Edgewater Automation, and Maximum Mold Inc.
In conclusion, the opportunity is great in Berrien County with a large about of paid apprenticeships available today. To start, learn more about the apprenticeship program at Edgewater Automation here.
