Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department Launches Region’s First Corrections Officer Apprenticeship

April 27, 2023

A first-of-its-kind apprenticeship program in northern Michigan will help the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department train its corrections officers. The Sheriff’s Department, in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works! and Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, launched a new US Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for Corrections Officers. This is the first corrections officer apprenticeship initiative in northern Michigan to offer customized training in this in-demand career field.  

The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department is providing apprentices with a minimum of 12 months of on-the-job training along with a minimum of 160 hours of related educational instruction. The related coursework is provided through several educational partners including Kirtland Community College, Alpena Community College, and North Central Community College. The courses complement the hands-on learning while providing an innovative, robust curriculum to launch career pathways for the apprentices.  The apprenticeship is registered under the Northwest Michigan Works! U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Standards of Apprenticeship.

“Having the additional resource and guidance, such as Michigan Works!, assists profoundly in resource allocation to provide the means not only in the hiring process but through the apprenticeship which allows our employees to gain the skills needed to reach their potential to provide a service in the field of law enforcement and corrections. These individuals will be our future leaders,” said Cheboygan County Sheriff, Tim Cook.  

“Northwest Michigan Works! is pleased to offer this new occupational title among a variety of others already established in high-demand career pathways. For employers, working with an apprenticeship intermediary streamlines the development, registration, and management process. Our wrap-around services are individualized and customized for each employer; providing a high level of customer service for businesses and apprentices”, said Evelyn Szpliet, Northwest Michigan Works! Regional Director of Apprenticeship Services.

Northwest Michigan Works! is a registered USDOL apprenticeship intermediary and sponsor. Northwest Michigan Works! helps employers develop, implement and manage registered apprenticeships specific to their industry. Registered Apprenticeship is a proven training method for businesses to build a talent pipeline of highly skilled, educated workers. 

Learn more about apprenticeships at nwm.org/Apprenticeships.