Cheboygan County creates corrections officer apprenticeship
CHEBOYGAN — In an effort to attract employees, the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Department has worked with Northwest Michigan Works! and Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium to create an apprenticeship for corrections officers.
The apprenticeship is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and is a 12-month training. Previously, officers went through four weeks of training at the academy and 10 weeks of field training. The apprenticeship will combine that method by putting officers through the four weeks at the academy and then get on-the-job experience for 12 months.
Officers complete their coursework through several educational partners, including Kirtland Community College, Alpena Community College and North Central Michigan College.
The department now has apprenticeships for road patrol and corrections officers.
“It definitely allows us to develop a very efficient employee, no doubt about that,” Cheboygan County Sheriff Tim Cook said. “We put criteria through that apprenticeship program that meets the Department of Labor Standards, that develops them with more supervision, that allows them to be a better asset for us.”
More: Sheriff's department to partner with Michigan Works for apprenticeship program
Apprenticeships have grown in popularity in recent years as they allow workers to train in trades while getting paid for their work. For employers, they are able to train employees to meet their own needs, while also filling staff openings.
“Corrections officer is a high demand field and it really helps with the recruitment when it is structured in a registered apprenticeship-type program because of the benefits for the apprentice, as well as the benefits for the employer. The employer may also be eligible for different types of grant funding and that helps with the cost of the program,” said Evelyn Szpliet, regional director of apprenticeship services for Northwest Michigan Works!
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Through Michigan Works!, the department receives up to $3,000 per candidate in order to help pay for their courses and other expenses associated with the apprenticeship. Cook estimates that the apprenticeship program could save taxpayers over $20,000.
“(Apprentices) not only receive stackable credentials as they go through the program, they receive a U.S. Department of Labor national credential at the end for corrections officers,” Szpliet said.
“They receive the education and training without a hefty debt and they're really launching their career pathway through a registered apprenticeship program. We also, as Michigan Works! organizations, can support apprentices through different resources like work clothing, tools, equipment, things they might need to be successful in the registered apprenticeship program.”
— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter, @Tess_Petoskey.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan County creates corrections officer apprenticeship
