2024 Noncredit Exemplary Award Winner

2024 Noncredit Exemplary Award Winner
Mott Community College, MI
MCC Electric Lineworker Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program

The Electric Lineworker Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program at Mott Community College (MCC) is a premier non-credit workforce development initiative, launched in 2022 through a strategic partnership with Consumers Energy. This program addresses the anticipated need for over 150 lineworkers in the next three years with an expedited 10-week training curriculum, significantly reducing the standard one-two year training period at other institutions.

As one of five Michigan colleges offering this program, Mott Community College stands out by providing it as a certificate through Workforce & Economic Development. This design allows students to complete their training in just 21 weeks—10 weeks at Mott Community College and 11 weeks at the Consumers Energy Climb School—significantly enhancing their earning potential. Comprehensive financial support through grant funding ensures that all enrolled students graduate debt-free.

Mott Community College was approached by Consumers Energy due to their strong history and focus on DEI, as the company aimed to diversify its workforce to reflect the communities it serves. Since its inception, the program has successfully trained a diverse cohort, with a significant percentage coming from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Consumers Energy actively supports recruitment, curriculum development, and financial aid, including $50,000 in housing scholarships. Additional funding from the local workforce development board, foundations and state grants increase accessibility.

One female student highlighted the program’s impact by stating, “The program is basically one of the best funnels directly to Consumers Energy. In my case, I had been applying to Consumers for years with no luck and that was with already being a licensed electrician. I probably wouldn’t be going to work for Consumers Energy without Mott College, so the exposure provided to Consumers was life-changing and the most valuable to me.”

The program also integrates contextualized learning, incorporating basic apprenticeship math and electronics into the curriculum. This approach equips students with additional skills applicable in other industries, broadening career prospects. Since its inception, 84 students have enrolled, 81 graduated, and 90%+ secured jobs and/or apprenticeships, earning $20–$40+/hour. Success led to the development of the Consumers Energy Summer Youth Academy, a six-week program for high school students from Flint, MI, creating a pipeline into the pre-apprenticeship program.

This scalable, high-impact workforce model demonstrates excellence in partnerships, economic impact, and noncredit workforce education that boosts education and career opportunity.