LANSING, Mich. – Lansing Community College has announced a new First Responder Apprenticeship program partnership between the college’s Health and Human Services Division (HHS), the Lansing Fire Department, and Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW). The apprenticeship program will address a critical shortage of emergency medical workers in the Capital region by providing existing fire fighters with Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training through its EMT Academy, greatly increasing the services they can provide. The program is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and is part of a national effort to expand apprenticeships into nontraditional career areas to address critical workforce shortages.

The EMT Academy is administered by the college’s HHS Division, which has a long history of providing students with Department of Labor registered apprenticeships using on-the-job training, mentoring and state-of-the-art instruction.

“This popular earn-as-you-learn model combines employer input, mentoring, and on-the-job training with a structured education plan,” LCC Director of Apprenticeships and External Partnerships, Dr. Will Emerson said. “The result is a flexible, cross-trained first responder capable of handling a wide range of emergency situations. “

As registered apprenticeships continue to expand in the Capital region across all industry sectors, CAMW! will assist regional Emergency Medical Service providers to explore and develop Registered Apprenticeship programs of their own. “At the heart of apprenticeship training is the opportunity for collaboration to build tomorrow's workforce through supported training environments within the industries themselves,” CAMW! CEO Carrie Rosingana stated.

The program’s innovative approach extends far beyond the Lansing area. “There was a program occupation registered for the EMT/First Responder before, but this one is the first active registered program with registered apprentices,” Apprenticeship & Training Representative for the US Department of Labor Steve Long said.

In addition to filling immediate workforce needs, apprenticeships lead to high-paying jobs and increased job retention that benefits workers and employers now and in the long term. CAMW! Apprenticeship and Business Services Officer, Jay LaNew mentions, “Capital Area Michigan Works! has seen an increased interest in apprenticeships from Emergency Medical Service providers in our region, and we have partnered with Lansing Community College to assist these agencies in exploring and developing Registered Apprenticeship programs.”

The EMT Academy is committed to cultivating a diverse workforce which represents the college’s commitment to supporting individuals from lower income brackets, first-generation students, veterans, and those in need of developmental academic or entry-level career skills. “EMS is a rewarding career for individuals with a passion for service. These apprenticeship programs afford our students the opportunity to pursue that passion supported by the community they aim to serve,” LCC EMS Program Director Jacob Callahan said.

LCC is able to offer the EMT Academy tuition-free through funding from a Department of Labor Strengthening Community College grant and Workforce Development Institute funds. This is a game changer for local fire departments’ participation. Lansing Fire Department’s Chief of EMS Operations, Ralph Ortiz, confirms this, saying, “Right now, Lansing Fire has 14 recruits in the LCC EMT Academy. All of them are funded by the SCC/WDI funding which has saved us significant financial resources. Not only have we seen monetary savings, but the funding has allowed us to send our recruits to an established program where we do not have to provide the training site and the equipment for a class.”

To learn more about the program please contact Dr. Will Emerson emersow1@star.lcc.edu.

 

About Lansing Community College

Lansing Community College, founded in 1957, is one of the largest community colleges in Michigan, serving more than 14,500 students across a six-county area each year. LCC offers courses in general education for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution, career and workforce development, developmental education and personal enrichment. To meet the professional development and training needs of regional employees, the college offers customized programs for credit, non-credit and continuing education. The Transfer Center at LCC offers students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from five partner universities on the downtown LCC campus. For more information, visit lcc.edu.

Lansing Community College provides equal opportunity for all persons and prohibits discriminatory practices based on race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position or participate in educational programs, courses, services or activities offered by the College.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Washington Court Place, 309 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1730; Employee Coordinator 504/ADA, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1875; Student Coordinator 504/ADA, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1885; Human Resource Manager/Employee Title IX Coordinator, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1879; Student Title IX Coordinator, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-9632.