OCC, Iron Workers Local 25 Forge Smooth Pathway for New Welders

Newly signed articulation agreement expands educational opportunities for iron workers and offers OCC welding students credits toward completing a registered apprenticeship

Oakland Community College (OCC) has signed an articulation agreement with the Iron Workers Local 25 Training Center in Wixom. The agreement enables journey iron workers to apply their education and training experiences and be awarded 32 academic credits towards a degree at OCC. This agreement is a “first” to allow students who successfully complete their basic and advanced certificate in welding at OCC to receive a maximum of one-year credit applied toward completing a registered apprenticeship. 

OCC Iron Workers Signing
OCC's Joseph Petrosky (l) and Dennis Aguirrre II (r) from Iron Workers Local 25 sign the joint articulation agreement in the College's Welding Technology lab.

“Iron Workers Local 25 is extremely excited about the opportunities that this new articulation agreement with OCC will bring, and we are looking forward to a long-lasting strong partnership for years to come,” said Iron Workers Local 25 President Dennis Aguirre II.   

Articulation agreements are formal partnerships between two or more parties, documenting the transfer policies for a specific academic program or degree. This two-way partnership ensures OCC welding students and iron workers have a seamless transition when pursuing a registered apprenticeship and a degree at OCC. 

“OCC is excited about this articulation with Local 25 that figuratively welds a bridge between our training programs for the benefit of all involved students in achieving their educational goals,” said Joseph Petrosky, associate provost of Academics and Workforce. “Together we have forged a new relationship and look forward to many students taking advantage of this pathway to great careers.”   

For more information about this partnership, contact Cameron Albring, OCC’s apprenticeship coordinator, at clalbrin@oaklandcc.edu. 

About OCC   

Offering nearly 100 degrees and certificates, OCC is Michigan’s largest multi-campus community college and one of the top transfer institutions in the state. The College provides academic, career training and enriching experiences, designed to empower students to reach their potential and enhance our community. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. A seven-person Board of Trustees governs OCC. Board members are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis, serve as volunteers and are not paid. Mission statement: OCC is committed to empowering our students to succeed and advancing our community. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.  

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