We’re pleased to announce Michigan’s Apprenticeship Programs—Nursery Technician and Landscape Management Technician—are ready for enrollment!

What is an Apprenticeship?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), an apprenticeship is a proven approach for preparing workers for jobs while meeting the needs of business for a highly-skilled workforce. It is an industry-driven model that combines on-the-job training with job-related instruction/education both based on the standards established by the industry.

What is Michigan’s Green Industry Apprenticeship Program?
Sponsored by MNLA, Michigan’s Green Industry Apprenticeship Program is comprised of the Landscape Management Technician Apprenticeship and the Nursery Technician Apprenticeship, each a one-year program. With both of these Apprenticeships new and existing workers will receive standardized on-the-job training developed by industry while earning wages, doing productive work, and taking education courses. The MNLA Board established this program for Michigan’s Green Industry to:

  • Promote the Green Industry as a professional trade;
  • Reduce employee turnover and foster loyalty among employees;
  • Attract people to careers in the Green Industry by building a sustainable long-term talent pipeline for your workforce and demonstrating to young people opportunity in the Green Industry;
  • Assist employers to develop a skilled workforce that will help grow their business through improved productivity and profitability.

What does the Apprentice earn?
At the completion of either the Landscape Management Technician or Nursery Technician Apprenticeship Program, the Apprentice will earn Journeyman status that includes skills as a technician, valuable work experience, and education. All Apprenticeships are registered through the USDOL.

Who administers Michigan’s Green Industry Apprenticeship Program?
MNLA will administer the Apprenticeships for our members at no charge as a member benefit and will serve as the bridge between employers and the USDOL handling all paperwork required for employers and Apprentices to participate in this program. This includes the dissemination and retention of enrollment forms for both the Company and the Participant, assistance in filling out and retaining records of Related Technical Instruction, On-the-Job Learning, Wage Rate tracking information, and compliance with deadlines.

In addition, MNLA will actively promote this program to potential Apprentices through high school counselors and teachers, career fairs, FFA and 4-H Programs, Vocational Technical and trade schools, community colleges and universities.

What do I have to do as an Employer?
Complete the necessary paperwork to register to have an Apprentice, commit to the rules/guidelines for the respective Apprenticeship, assign a Journeyworker (at the ratio of 1:1), ensure that Apprentices and Journeyworkers document progress throughout the Apprenticeship, and communicate this progress to MNLA, who will then communicate with USDOL.

How will Journeyworkers be established the first year of the program?
During the establishment of this program, Journeyworker status will be granted by an individual through certification that they have adequate on-the-job experience and education. This is only available to an individual working for a firm registered to take on an Apprentice, can only be obtained by filling out the appropriate forms to receive credit for previous experience and education, and be registered as a Journeyworker by MNLA in the USDOL program.

How do I get started?
Companies interested in signing up an employee as an Apprentice and individuals interested in becoming an Apprentice should contact Becky Cybart at the MNLA Office at Becky@MNLA.org.