DETROIT, MI — On Friday, October 2, the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute hosted its Fourth Annual Workers Gala to celebrate putting thousands of Michiganders on paths to good-paying jobs and fulfilling careers while making Michigan’s workforce more resilient and our communities and state stronger.
“Becoming a registered apprentice through one of our programs, like Access for All®, is a proven path to success,” said Chong-Anna CANFORA, Executive Director of the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute. “I’m incredibly honored to help create opportunities for hardworking Michiganders looking for a good-paying career in the skilled trades. Thank you to everyone – especially our partners and sponsors – that made this celebration possible. And congratulations to all the nominees and awardees for their hard work and dedication.”
“WDI’s Access for All® program literally changed my life,” said Michael ORTIZ, Access for All graduate and AC Electrical Foreman. “I went from making a few hundred bucks a week to a few thousand and now I can support my family without having to worry about how I’m going to pay the bills.”
The gala honored key legislative partners, including State Senators Darrin Camilleri and Mary Cavanagh; and State Representatives Brenda Carter and Jasper Martus. The gala was keynoted by Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. The award winners are as follows:
ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE AWARD
- Michael Ortiz (Laborers Local 355)
- Tony Koenig
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
- Ezekiel “Zeke” Morgan (Ironworkers 25)
- Chloe Raines (UA 333)
COURAGE TO SUCCEED AWARD
- Iesha Buford
- Jason Thomas
KEY COLLABORATOR AWARD
- Sam Doughtery, Helmets to Hardhats
- Jeff Smrz, LiUNA Training of Michigan
- Consumers Energy Foundation
- Mike Samelson & Bruce Young, Angelo Iafrate Company
PRESIDENTIAL MERIT AWARD
- Steve Claywell, Secretary Treasurer, Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council
SOLIDARITY AWARDS
- Labor Partners: Ryan Bennett (UA 174) & John Hartwell (IUOE 324)
- Legislative Partners: State Senators: Darrin Camilleri & Mary Cavanagh and State Reps. Brenda Carter & Jasper Martus
- Workforce partners: Jay Lanew, Capitol Area MiWorks! and Jonathan Yarbrough, NACD
LANE CHANGERS AWARD
Jessica Knight (IUOE 324)
Kristeen Mendez (IUOE 324)
“The Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute is devoted to putting Michiganders on a path to a good-paying career in the skilled trades — and once a year we celebrate how much a union job can change your life,” said Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “Better wages and benefits and dignity on the job, if you’re looking for a better paying job look no further than the skilled trades.”
WDI’s programs provide services to job seekers and employers throughout the state of Michigan and are a collaborative effort between the labor movement, businesses, and dedicated instructors and staff. By providing apprenticeship readiness, apprenticeship, and occupational skills training, as well as career exploration and job placement services for youth and adults, WDI has helped open up pathways to prosperity in the skilled trades for people across the state. WDI’s programs have served more than 60,000 Michigan job seekers since its incorporation in 1988.
Video of the event can be found here. You can learn more at miwdi.org.
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