For Michigan’s 435,500 veterans, the transition from service to civilian employment is not always easy. Many veterans face barriers, including translating military skills into civilian careers, navigating disability accommodations and adjusting to a changing job market – challenges that can lead to underemployment or long-term job instability without the right support.

For Michigan veterans and transitioning service members, Registered Apprenticeships are a pathway to real-world training and paid opportunities. In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is highlighting how Registered Apprenticeships are opening doors for veterans across the state.

LEO’s Veterans’ Employment Services provides specialized career and training services to veterans, transitioning service members and their spouses who face barriers to employment, ensuring they have the support needed to re-enter the workforce, build in-demand skills and secure meaningful careers. Michigan ranks #4 in the nation for helping veterans secure employment and also ranks fourth nationally for veteran workforce participation.

“Michigan’s veterans bring tremendous value to our workforce, offering leadership, problem-solving skills, adaptability and discipline shaped through their service, yet too often, those strengths are overlooked in the hiring process,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “Registered Apprenticeships help change that by providing a clear, structured pathway to quality, in-demand careers, while helping employers fill critical talent gaps and strengthening our economy.”

Through their “veterans helping veterans” approach, the team facilitates paths into in-demand careers by connecting veterans with Registered Apprenticeships in fields such as advanced manufacturing, construction, energy, health care, information technology, and many more. These programs allow veterans to earn a paycheck from day one while gaining the skills and certifications needed for long-term success.

“There are many reasons Michigan employers value veterans in the workplace. Their proven leadership, discipline, experience in high‑pressure situations and commitment to mission success often translates directly into reliable, effective performance,” said LEO Workforce Development Director Krista Johnson. “When you combine those strengths with the value Registered Apprenticeship delivers, employers have access to the right-skilled talent they need to compete in a global economy.”

Through Registered Apprenticeships, veterans and transitioning service members:

• Earn competitive wages with scheduled increases
• Gain hands-on experience paired with classroom instruction
• Receive nationally recognized credentials
• Access additional financial support, including GI Bill benefits for many programs

This work is further strengthened through partnerships with organizations such as Helmets to Hardhats, which helps veterans access career opportunities through Registered Apprenticeships in the building construction trades. Helmets to Hardhats works closely with Veterans’ Employment Services and LEO’s State Apprenticeship Expansion team, identifying veterans for Registered Apprenticeship opportunities while also helping those who may need additional support or barrier removal services before entering the workforce.

“Veterans come to Helmets to Hardhats in a time of uncertainty in their lives and it’s an honor to help them figure out what comes next,” said Sam Dougherty, Michigan State Representative for Helmets to Hardhats and Marine veteran. “By working with LEO, we’re helping ensure the men and women who put their lives on the line are supported in their transition, connecting them with opportunities and building lasting stability for themselves and their families.”

For Marcus Carbajo – who served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves before completing a Registered Apprenticeship with MacAllister CAT in Novi – the decision to enroll came at a pivotal moment in his life. With a new home and a growing family, he was weighing immediate financial needs against long-term career stability. Carbajo chose to invest in his future through a four-year Registered Apprenticeship, gaining hands-on experience, industry certifications and steady wage growth along the way.

“At the time, it felt like a risk, but I knew I needed to think long term and invest in myself,” said Carbajo. “Now, I’ve built a career as a heavy equipment technician, gained real skills and created stability for my family. It absolutely paid off.”

Carbajo says that experience shaped how he approaches both his career and his future, encouraging others to be intentional about the path they choose. For those looking to leverage their military experience while transitioning to civilian life, he sees Registered Apprenticeships as a way to build a lasting career.

Veterans’ Employment Services provides one-on-one career counseling, resume support and connections to training programs designed to lead to long-term success. Their work is supported by the Michigan State Approving Agency, also located within LEO, which is responsible for approving education and training facilities and related programs for veterans and eligible dependents under the GI Bill.

Visit Michigan.gov/VES to learn more about Veterans’ Employment Services. More information about Registered Apprenticeship is available at Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.