Workforce & Healthcare Partnerships
Building Futures for Southeast Michigan
From skilled trades apprenticeships to healthcare career pipelines and dual enrollment for high school students — Schoolcraft College is creating pathways to real careers, right here in our community.
A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership
Schoolcraft College has become the first institution to adopt a pioneering public/private collaboration with the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2, the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA), and Michigan's Labor and Economic Development Office (LEO).
This initiative — known as MI-CCAP — integrates apprenticeship training and real-world experience into credit toward an associate degree at 24 Michigan community colleges. Schoolcraft College, based in Livonia, led the way as the first adopter.
The program is funded in part by Congressionally Directed Spending, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and LEO, with significant support from the Schoolcraft College Foundation.
Partnership includes
How it works
Apprenticeship + College Credit
Complete Your Apprenticeship
Apprentices enrolled in the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Registered Apprenticeship Program earn hands-on, real-world experience in the masonry trades.
Earn 49 College Credits
Completed apprenticeship training converts into 49 college credits toward an associate degree — no need to start over. Your work experience counts.
Access Student Support
Apprentices gain access to Schoolcraft's full suite of student services — tutoring, academic advising, and wellness resources — while continuing their hands-on training.
Advance Your Career
Graduates leave with both a union credential and college degree credits, opening doors to leadership roles, further education, and higher-wage employment.
Program highlights
Why This Matters
First in Michigan
Schoolcraft College is the first institution in the state — and among the first in the country — to adopt the MI-CCAP apprenticeship-to-credit transfer model.
No Starting Over
Workers earn 49 college credits for their on-the-job apprenticeship training — building toward a degree without having to restart their education from scratch.
Dual Enrollment for High Schoolers
High school students can enroll in the program and graduate with their diploma, complete an apprenticeship, and earn credits toward a college degree simultaneously.
Statewide Impact
The MI-CCAP model spans 24 Michigan community colleges, creating a statewide pathway for skilled trades workers to advance their education and careers.
Voices Behind the Partnership
"We believe the MI-CCAP agreement is one of the first in the country to facilitate a transfer agreement to union workers. I thank Schoolcraft College President Dr. Glenn Cerny for leading the way to early adoption of this program.
"This partnership is one more tool for us to recruit and train union workers and leaders. The program is an opportunity for our workers to continue their education without having to start over.
"This agreement is meeting learners where they are and moving them forward statewide. Hands-on training while earning credit for this experience is vital to their successes.
State support
Bi-Partisan Backing in Lansing
The Michigan State Legislature has provided dedicated funding for this workforce development initiative, with support from both sides of the aisle. Lawmakers in Lansing recognize that investing in skilled trades education is not a partisan issue — it is an economic imperative for Michigan's future.
This state-level commitment, combined with Congressionally Directed Spending from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, demonstrates that the Schoolcraft–Bricklayers partnership has earned trust and investment at every level of government.
State Legislature
Bi-partisan funding approved in Lansing for the skilled trades program
Federal Support
Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters
Labor & Economic Development
Michigan LEO partnership ensures alignment with statewide workforce goals
High school students
Dual Enrollment: A Head Start at No Cost
Schoolcraft College is pioneering a first-of-its-kind dual enrollment pilot program in Michigan, allowing high school students to earn college credits — including credits toward an apprenticeship pathway — while still in high school, at no cost to students or their families.
Launched with $1.2 million in state funding, the program covers all tuition and fees through state and federal dollars, keeping funding at the local school district level. It began with Clarenceville Community Schools and has since expanded to five additional districts.
"Dual enrollment is a great opportunity for high school students to begin their college experience while in high school — and most importantly, they do this at no cost to the families," said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College.
Legislative champion
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki
State Senator Dayna Polehanki has been instrumental in helping Schoolcraft College take the lead on this program. Her work securing state funding made it possible to expand the pilot to six school districts — and positions Schoolcraft as a trendsetting model for dual enrollment across Michigan.
Participating school districts
Healthcare careers
Schoolcraft & Trinity Health: Training the Healthcare Workforce of Tomorrow
Schoolcraft College and Trinity Health Michigan have forged a landmark partnership to address Michigan's growing healthcare talent shortage — delivering a unique, campus-based pipeline that provides full tuition assistance to both current Trinity Health employees and Schoolcraft students who express interest in working for the health system.
Trinity Health's on-campus facility — opened on the Schoolcraft campus in 2021 — means students can move seamlessly from classroom to clinical setting. There is nothing like this arrangement anywhere else in Michigan.
"This big pipeline of talent from Trinity Health will get access to everything they need right here on the campus of Schoolcraft," said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. "There's nothing like this in Michigan."
The partnership was recognized as a finalist for Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership at the American Association of Community Colleges Awards of Excellence — a national honor that reflects the model's impact and replicability.
A Win-Win-Win-Win
"Trinity Health employees get a new career path for little or no tuition. Schoolcraft gets a pipeline of students. Trinity Health Michigan deepens our bench of first-class healthcare talent. And the communities of Southeast Michigan benefit."
Rob Casalou
President & CEO, Trinity Health Michigan
8 in-demand healthcare fields
Why your vote matters
The Millage Makes This Possible
Programs like the Bricklayers apprenticeship partnership, the Trinity Health nursing and healthcare career pipeline, and free dual enrollment for high school students in six local districts are only possible because of stable, local funding. The millage renewal on November 3, 2026 ensures Schoolcraft College can continue building these innovative pathways — keeping tuition affordable and keeping our community's workforce competitive.