Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program
Project Overview
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA), and labor leaders are partnering together to expand and align the awarding of college credit for registered apprenticeship. Together we are advancing a coordinated approach to assess the learning that takes place in apprenticeship settings outside the traditional classroom, work with the American Council on Education (ACE) to recommend credit equivalencies, and promote adoption of these standards across member colleges. These equivalencies will be documented in the Michigan Transfer Network, ensuring consistency and transparency. This initiative also supports colleges in building clear, streamlined pathways to associate degrees that recognize and honor apprenticeship learning, while partnering with state and labor leaders to communicate these opportunities broadly to current and prospective participants and connecting trades workers to state administered scholarships and supports to ensure they can build on their education for free or at a low cost.
This initiative is supported by a LEO grant and will be completed at no cost to participating community colleges or labor unions.
Next Steps for Colleges
MI-CCAP Agreements
Partnership agreements were sent to college contacts in December 2025. Colleges that execute the agreement commit to developing at least one program map that aligns with an existing associate degree program and incorporates credit recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE) and/or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). If your college has reviewed the agreement and is ready to sign, please contact us, as the SignNow link may have expired and will need to be resent.
Mapping Course Equivalencies in MTN
The Michigan Transfer Network (MTN) is up to date with industry credentials for the four apprenticeship programs evaluated to date. Colleges may begin mapping course equivalencies in the MTN at any time. For assistance with building equivalencies, please contact Donna Petras at dpetras@mcca.org.
Evaluated Apprenticeship Learning
Throughout the MI-CCAP virtual sessions, MCCA has highlighted four apprenticeship programs evaluated by ACE and NCCRS. Links to the active evaluations are provided below for convenient reference or you can access our comprehensive list of credit recommendations.
- Electrical Training Alliance / IBEW
- International Finishing Trades Institute / IUPAT
- International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry / SMART
- LIUNA Training and Education Fund
Miss a webinar session or need a recap?
All MI-CCAP webinar sessions are recorded. Session decks and recordings are available on the MI-CCAP event registration pages following each webinar. Below are links to each page where these resources can be accessed.
- Session 1: MI-CCAP Project Overview (10/30/25)
- Session 2: Awarding Credit for Apprenticeships (11/13/25)
- Session 3: Aligning Apprenticeships to Academic Programs (11/20/25)
- Session 4: Documenting Credit for Apprenticeships on MTN (1/15/26)
- Session 5: Marketing Opportunities to Apprentices (1/22/26)
- Session 6: Managing Credit for Apprenticeships (1/29/26)
Subscribe to stay informed about Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships Program events, best practices, and program information. MCCA will provide updates via email to the MI-CCAP listserv subscribers as:
- Additional registered apprenticeship programs are evaluated.
- Changes are made to the MTN that impact apprenticeship course equivalencies.
- Marketing materials are finalized and/or updated.
- Opportunities to promote college engagement with this project are presented.
Why Credit for Apprenticeships?
19+ community colleges in Michigan currently award credit
for apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship completers gain a competitive edge by earning an associate degree, enabling them to advance professionally, broaden their expertise, and develop additional additional skills to fill critical roles.
Credit awards are inconsistent across institutions and not well communicated to apprenticeship completers.
Higher education institutions are increasingly friendly to awarding credit for prior learning.
Project Activities
ACE Learning Evaluations: Financially support learning evaluations of trade apprenticeship programs by the American Council on Education (ACE).
College Credit Awards: Support Michigan community colleges to award credit for and document recommended equivalencies, develop efficient pathways to an associate degree that honors the learning in apprenticeship programs.
Marketing Materials: Partner with state and labor leaders to communicate degree completion opportunities to apprenticeship program completers.
ACE Learning Evaluations
The ACE National Guide provides credit recommendations for learning gained through work and training outside the classroom. The Michigan Community College Association (MCCA), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and labor leaders, is working with ACE to evaluate apprenticeship learning and establish consistent credit equivalencies. These standards will be published in the Michigan Transfer Network, creating clear, transparent pathways to associate degrees that fully recognize apprenticeship experience.
Credit Visibility
The Michigan Transfer Network (MTN) allows users to view how industry credentials and apprenticeship learning are recognized for credit at Michigan colleges and universities. Users can search for equivalencies by sending provider (where the credential was completed) or by receiving institution (where the credit may be applied). Apprenticeship equivalencies will be documented in the MTN, ensuring transparency and equipping stakeholders and students with a shared tool to navigate apprenticeship-to-degree pathways with confidence.
Program Maps
A key goal of this initiative is for colleges to create clear program maps that illustrate how apprenticeship experience translates into college credit and how those credits apply toward an associate degree. Colleges will develop maps that show the credits awarded, the remaining program requirements, and the most efficient path to completion. These maps will help students see a direct, transparent pathway from apprenticeship to degree, making it easier to plan, persist, and achieve their goals.
Communicating Opportunities to Students
As part of this work, we will develop marketing toolkits tailored to both apprenticeship providers and colleges. These toolkits will highlight the benefits of degree completion and provide ready-to-use materials to communicate apprenticeship-to-degree pathways. By equipping both trade unions and colleges with consistent, accessible messaging, we ensure that current and prospective apprentices clearly understand their opportunities to earn college credit and advance in their respective fields.
Why do apprenticeship completers want to earn an associate degree?
Apprenticeship completers often pursue an associate degree to advance into supervisory or specialist roles, prepare for business ownership, or strengthen career options. Many are also motivated by gaining new skills, meeting employer expectations, or achieving a personal educational goal.
Do we need to participate in all 14 apprenticeships?
No. Colleges can choose the apprenticeship programs they will accept.
What is ACE?
The American Council on Education (ACE) is national membership organization based in Washington DC that represents the interests of higher education institutions and related organizations across all sectors. ACE offers a service to evaluate learning through the military, exams (i.e. AP and CLEP), industry credentials, and apprenticeships. These credit recommendations are published the ACE National Guide which includes thousands of recommendations. MCCA is using grant funds to evaluate the learning in apprenticeship programs.
Our college charges student fees upon awarding Credit for Prior Learning. Can we still do this and participate in MI-CCAP?
No. To fully align with MI-CCAP, colleges must discontinue charging students for CPL.
Is the college required to award 45 credits for every apprenticeship program?
No. MCCA is working with 14 different trades so the credit recommendations will not be the same across all trades. Based on our review, ACE will likely recommend between 20-45 credits depending on the length of the apprenticeship program and competencies within. This is consistent with credit awards at Michigan community colleges that currently award credit.
Can we participate if our institutional policy caps CPL credits (e.g., 30 credits)?
In this case, colleges have two options:
- Adjust the college policy on maximum CPL credit awards.
- Participate in awarding CPL only for apprenticeship programs that award credits less than or equal to the college cap (e.g. 30 credits or less).
Can we award CPL for apprenticeship programs that don’t align with one of our programs?
Yes. Colleges may award CPL as occupational elective or general education credit.
Why is MCCA limiting which degree is included in this project? Can’t apprenticeship completers pursue any program?
Yes. Students may pursue any program, and colleges should help them select the most appropriate option. Apprenticeship completers usually aim for a degree of about 60 credits. If, for instance, a college grants 45 credits but still requires 30 more, the student could end up with far more than needed. To prevent this, MCCA reviewed all associate degree programs statewide and identified those that best align with apprenticeship pathways.
Is CPL awarded for apprenticeship program completion eligible for MiLEAP’s CPL reimbursement?
Yes. MCCA confirmed that these credits are eligible for the $80 per credit reimbursement incentive available to colleges that award CPL to Reconnect recipients.
Do community colleges need to offer the exact same programs?
No. In fact, MCCA identified 5 different degrees with 31 different configuration of credits and courses. Community college should continue to offer degrees and programs that align with your local needs. We will not be asking colleges to change degree requirements in this project.
How will this help the many people on a waitlist for an apprenticeship in my community?
Apprenticeship programs have more interest among prospective students than available seats in the programs. Much like competitive admission programs at community colleges (e.g. nursing), this is caused by several factors including faculty to student ratios, available managers and supervisors, or limited work projects. MI-CCAP will, in part, address the availability of managers and supervisors who can support new apprentices.
What will happen with our existing agreements?
Nothing. Colleges can continue to maintain their existing agreements. The purpose of this effort is to more effectively and simply communicate the associate degree completion option to students. Existing agreements are likely communicated to eligible prospective students.
What if my institution does not participate?
FOMO* is real, but there is no requirement to participate in this project. MCCA will continue to update colleges on opportunities to participate in the future and colleges can always cultivate relationships with local employers or trade unions.
*fear of missing out