Peters, Slotkin Tour LCC’s Apprenticeship Labs after Convening Roundtable on Supporting Skills Trades & Veterans,
Peters & Slotkin Leading Bill to Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities for Veterans

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) visited Lansing Community College (LCC) Wednesday February 19th. While there, Peters and Slotkin convened a roundtable discussion about the importance of expanding apprenticeships and skills trainings to fill good-paying jobs. Following the roundtable, Peters and Slotkin toured LCC’s West Campus – which hosuses their Technical Careers and Community Education and Workforce Development divisions, then held a media availability.

MBN was on hand for the event and shared below is a PodCast set from their time with the media during the tour.

Throughout the visit, Peters – a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve – and Slotkin – a former senior Pentagon official and Army wife and step-mom highlighted bipartisan legislation they are leading to expand opportunities for veterans to register for apprenticeships.

The bill – which passed the Senate unanimously – would require that veterans are included in Department of Labor (DOL) standards for registered apprenticeship programs – since there is a significant discrepancy between the number of apprenticeships registered by DOL and the amount of programs veterans can apply their GI Bill benefits toward. In Michigan, there are currently more than 1,000 active registered apprenticeships, but only a couple hundred approved by the VA. Peters introduced the bill in the Senate, and Slotkin has led introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives.