FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2024
Media Contact: Aaron Pelo, apelo@miaflcio.org | 734.355.2741
U.S. Department of Labor’s Russ Davis Joins Michigan Workforce Development Institute to Spearhead Apprenticeship Growth
LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Workforce Development Institute (WDI) announced the hiring of Russ Davis to lead the building of a new department focused on helping labor organizations and employers build, expand, and register apprenticeship programs across the state. Davis was most recently Michigan State Director for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship.
“We are beyond thrilled to bring Russ aboard along with his decades of leadership in the apprenticeship space,” said Michigan Workforce Development Institute Executive Director Chong-Anna CANFORA. “As WDI continues our rapid growth, Russ will be instrumental in strengthening our partnerships with labor unions, employers, and the state to expand access to registered career readiness training that opens pathways to the middle class.”
“Apprenticeship Readiness is one of the key elements to the success of the diversity of our construction trades and unions,” said DAVIS. “I am looking forward to working with the WDI team preparing potential apprentices for a sustainable career in Registered Apprenticeship programs.”
Originally from Tuscola County, Davis joined the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship as Michigan State Director in 2011. Prior to that, he spent 30 years with General Motors as a toolmaker and Process Control Analyst at GM’s Flint Engine Plant. Davis has spent decades as a leader in apprentice readiness, serving for 13 years as a Skilled Training Manager, Business Solutions Specialist, and instructor at Delta College, where he helped develop pre-apprenticeship programs aimed at women and minorities in the skilled trades. Russ also served on the curriculum committee for the Road Construction Apprentice Readiness (RCAR) and Energy Construction Apprentice Readiness (ECAR) programs for the State of Michigan.
“WDI’s pre-apprenticeship programs are some of the best in the nation and are how we’ll continue to close the skilled trades gap and prepare the next generation of building and construction trades workers,” said Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council President Steve CLAYWELL. “The addition of Russ Davis to WDI’s growing team is incredible news for the Michigan Building Trades, who are proud partners in WDI’s work to prepare thousands of Michiganders for thriving careers as skilled union workers.”
The Michigan Workforce Development Institute, a division of the Michigan AFL-CIO, is one of the foremost workforce nonprofits in the state. For over 35 years, WDI has provided services to job seekers and employers throughout the state of Michigan, helping more than 60,000 job seekers finish their education and enter the skilled trades workforce.
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