Oakland Community College receives Pre-Apprenticeship Endorsement and Champion Award
for strengthening Michigan’s talent pipeline
Oakland Community College’s Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs are gaining statewide recognition for close critical skills gaps in manufacturing,
IT and healthcare—industries vital to Michigan’s future workforce.
OCC's Skilled Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program earned a Michigan Apprenticeship Readiness Certificate (MARC) endorsement from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), signifying the program meets LEO’s quality criteria for a pre-apprenticeship program.
There are only 29 MARC endorsements in the state, and OCC has received four of those.
In addition to the endorsement, OCC also received a Champion Award from Oakland County
and LEO in recognition of the College’s leadership in Michigan’s Race to Talent and
commitment to delivering high-quality apprenticeship-related instruction that strengthens
the local and state’s skilled workforce.
MARC endorsements are reserved exclusively for pre- apprenticeship programs that effectively
train and prepare students for Registered Apprenticeship opportunities and connect
them directly to employer-sponsored opportunities upon completion. These opportunities
allow students to earn wages while continuing to gain in-demand skills.
“We are grateful to receive the endorsements and Champion Award and are expanding
our pre-apprenticeship programs to include additional areas of apprenticeship readiness
through employer partnerships and industry credential alignment,” said Cameron Albring,
Director of Career Services and Apprenticeships.
In addition to its Industrial Readiness and Skilled Trade/Manufacturing, OCC recently
launched a hands-on, Pre-Apprenticeship Construction program that prepares students
for entry-level jobs in home building and commercial construction.
The pre-apprenticeship programs are a great pathway to Registered Apprenticeships,
where students are sponsored by an employer or organization, learning valuable skills
while being paid for their training.
OCC will co-host a Race to Talent event with Oakland County Michigan Works! on March
3, 2026.
For information, visit Apprenticeship. Pre-apprenticeship visit oaklandcc.edu/training-programs.
About OCC
Oakland Community College (OCC) has empowered individuals through education since
1965. Serving more than 20,000 students annually, OCC offers 80+ degree and certificate
programs, workforce training and community education programs with flexible class
options, low tuition, robust services, and top transfer opportunities. Ranked Michigan’s
top online college and seventh nationally by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges
2025, OCC delivers education that drives opportunity, workforce growth and community
impact. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 |
contactus@oaklandcc.edu